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HARVARD 
COLLEGE 
LIBRARY 



JT, f>-'^):. 



A. I. £■*»&- 



RELIQULE ANTIQILE. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQILE. 



RELIOUI.E ANTIQUE. 

SCRAPS 

ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS, 

ILLIinakTIHO CBISH.T 

EARLY ENGLISH LITERATURE 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 

THOMAS WRIGHT, Esq. M. A., F. S. A. 
JAMES ORCHARD HALLIWELL, Escj. F.R.S., F.S. A. 




LONDON : 

JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 
4, OLD COMPTON STREET, SOHO SQUARE. 




/^harvard\ 
university 

LIBRARY 

\ocPia1952/ 



/ 






TO 



CHARLES PURTON COOPER, ESQ. 



THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED, 



A TESTIMONY OF RESPECT 



FROM HIS 



HUMBLE, FAITHFUL, AND OBLIGED SERVANTS, 



THE EDITORS. 



PREFACE TO VOL. II. 



In concluding the present work, the Editors take again the 
opportunity of thanking both the contributors who have en- 
abled them to enrich the collection with many curious pieces 
which could not otherwise have been obtained, and the sub- 
scribers who have encouraged them to proceed. They feel 
confident that these two volumes of short miscellaneous docu- 
ments will be found of use to future philologists, and to all who 
take an interest in the history of our language and literature. 
The publication was begun in the consciousness that many 
of the most valuable materials of this description, illustrations 
of words, traits of manners, facts of different kinds, lay scattered 
among those short scraps on the margins and spare leaves of 
manuscripts which had been neglected, chiefly because there 
was no previous publication in which they could be conveniently 
inserted. The present work has not been discontinued on 
account of dearth of materials, but because it was thought 
that a large work is often felt by the purchaser as an evil, and 
that if the design should be taken up again, it will have better 
success when published as a new series or as a new work. 

To the list of contributors mentioned in the preface of the 
first volume, we have to add the names of David Laing, Esq. 
of Edinburgh, J. Gough Nichols, Esq., Dr. Endlicher of Vienna, 
and MM. Paulin Paris and D'Avezac of Paris. The Editors 



IV. 



have felt it their duty to dedicate their volumes to two gentle- 
nien whose names will be long remembered in connection with 
the history and literature of England in the Old Time. Sir 
Thomas Phillipps, who has permitted his name to be placed 
at the head of our first volume, has sought distinction in the 
same honourable manner as the Cottons and Harleys of former 
days, and has collected together the most precious and exten- 
sive private library of ancient manuscripts that exists in our 
days, and we may add that no possessor of such treasures has 
ever been more liberal in allowing them to be used by scholars. 
Mr. Purton Cooper, who has with equal condescension allowed 
us to dedicate to him this second volume, merits the warmest 
gratitude of all lovers of our ancient literature as well as of the 
general historian, for the active and enlightened zeal with which, 
while managing secretary of the late Record Commission, he 
caused the libraries of the continent to be explored in search 
of the numerous documents which had been carried from our 
island during the revolutions of the sixteenth century, where- 
by he has dragged from oblivion some of the most valuable 
monuments of the Anglo-Saxon language. 



May, 1843. 



RELIQULE ANTIQUE. 



EXTRACTS FROM THE RULE OF NUNS. 

At p. 65 of our first volume, we have already given a long extract from this 
work. For the sake of exhibiting the differences of the language, we now 
give specimens from the other two manuscripts. 

I. From MS. Cotton. Cleopatra C. VI. of the beginning of the thirteenth 
century. 

Of Greek Fire,fol 186, r». 

Grickisch fur is i-maked of read monnes blod ; 3 ]?et ne mei 
nan J?ing bute migge, sont, 3 eisil, as me ser$, acwenchen. 
J>is Grickisch fur is ]?e luve Jhesu ure laverd, j ge hit schule 
makien of ]?e reade monne blod, f is Jhesu Crist i-readet mid 
his achne blod on )>e deore rode, j wes in read cundeliche, as 
me wene$, Jus blod for ou i-sched upon )>e arre twa treon schal 
maken ow sarraptaines, f is oncende, mid J?is Grickische fur, 
f as Salomon sei$,nane wattres,^ beoft worldliche tribulaciuns, 
nane temptaciuns nouSer inre ne uttere, ne muchone Jus luve 
acwenchen. Nu nis )>enne on ende, bute witen ow warKche 
wr$ al f hit acwencheS, f becS migge 3 sont 3 eisil, as ich 
seide. Migge is stench of sunne. On sond ne groweft na god, 
3 bitacneS idele dedis, 3 acwencheft ]?is fur. Sturieft ow 
cwicliche in gode werkes, 3 f schal heaten ow, *] ontende J?is 
fur agean |?e brune of sunne. For alswa as )>e an neil drive*$ 
ut ]?e o'Ser, alse )>e brune of Godes luve driveft ]?e brune of ful 
luve ut of ]?e heorte. 

Of the sobriety and works of the Nuns, fol, 190, r°. 

Ge ne schulen eoten flesch ne saim bute i muche secneise, 
o'Ser hwase is over feble. Potage eoteS blrSeliche, 3 wunicS 
ou to lute drunh. Nodeles ower mete 3 ower drunh havcS 
i-J?ucht me ofte leise J?enne ic walde. Ne feste ge nan dei to 
bred 3 to water bute ge habbe leave. Sum ancre make hire 
bord wr3 hire gest utewrS, f is to muche freontschipe, for of 

VOL. II. B 



REUQt T t.E ANTIQU.E. 

allc ordres benne is bit uncnmelukest -j mest agein ancre ordre, 
■ji i* af dead to be world. Me haveS i-herd ofte $ deade speke 
with cwike, nh j> ha cteo wi'S cwike ne fond ich jet neaver. 
Ne make ge iiane geslninges, nc ne tulle ge to be gete nane 
Dncude hailoz, bach ber nere nan o5er uvel bute hare med- 
. hil snide letten o$er hwile heovenliche bochtes. 
Ne limpe-8 naut to ancren of oSer monne atmesse to maken 
hire large. Nolde me lachgen an heggere to bismare, be laSede 
men to feste. Marie -j MarSe ha were sustren, ach hare lif 
sundreS; ge ancren beo5 i-numenow to Marie dale be God seolf 
herede, Maria optimum partem, e/c. Marthe, Marthe, quod 
he, bu art in muche baret ; Marie have? i-core bet, -j ne schal 
hire nawicbt reowen hire dale: husewifschipe is Marthe dale, 
Marie dale is stilneise 3 reste of alle worldes noise, -f nan bing 
ne lette hire to heren Godes stevene. 3 Ioke hwai God seid, 
|> nan bing ne schal ow reave bis dale. Marthe haveS hire 
mester, leoteS hire t-wuriSen, ge sitten wiS Marie stan stille ed 
Godes fet "j hercneS him ane. Marthe meoster is to fede 
povre -\ schruden as hus lefdi. Marie nach naut to automat- 
ion hire brof, gef ei blame? hire brof, God seolf ich wer wereS 
hire, as llali Writ witneS. On oSer bait' nan ancre noeh ne- 
mo bute gnedeliche f hire to neodeB. Hwer of benne roei 
ho maken hire large! ha schal libben bi almesse ase naru- 
ii(.:!u' as ha eaver mei, -\ naut gederen for to geovenne. Ha 
nis nan busewif, ach is an chirche ancre. Gef ha mei sparien 
ani povre scbraden, sende ham al dearneliche ut of hire wanes; 
under Bemblant of god is ofte i-huled sunne. ~j bu senate 
t'eos richo ancres be iilieS oSer habbe? rentes i-sette, don to 
povre necheburs dearneliche lure almes? Ne wilni naut tn 
habbe word of an large ancre, ne for to geone muche 1 ne beo 
nan be gredure for to habbe mare. Beo gredineise rote of 
liirt; bitterneise, alle beob' be bowes bittere ^of hire spruted. 
Bidden hit for to geovcn, hit nis naut ancre richte ; of ancre 
□utteisie, of ancre largesce is i-cumen ofte sunne -j scheome on 
ende Wimmen •} children f beo? i-swiinken for ow, bach ge 
sparien bit on ow, make ham to eotene. Na mon bute he 
hnlilx; neode ne la?e ge to drinken. Nawicht ne girne ich f 
me telle mv, hende ancren. Edgode freont, neome? al ji ow 
con to doS, hwen ha beodeS Iiit ow, for nan bode ne neome ge 
naut wrSute nede, p ge nc kecche be nome of gcderinde an- 
CT*n, Of mon b ge inisleveS, noirSer ne neome ge lcsse ne 
mare, naui Bwa muche [> beo an rote of gingivre. Muche neode 
schal driven ow for to hidden ei bing. bach edmodltche schawl* 
tn owre leoveste freonl outher meosi 

Ge, m leove surtren, ne schule ge habben nan beast but 

ntftaft, Ann,; be have* adite, bunche? beta 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 3 

Marthe wes, -for nanes weis ne mei ha beon Marie wrS grrS- 
fulneise of heorte, for )>enne mot ha )>enchen of )>e cuwes foddre, 
of heordemenne hure, elch ni ]?e haiwart, warien hwen he wunt 
hire, *] gelde |?ach ]?e harmes. Ladlich ]>ing is wat Crist hwen 
me make i-cune man of ancres achte. Nu J?ach gef ani met 
ne dunge habben hit, loke ^ hit na mon ne eili ne ne harmi, ne 
p hire )x>cht ne beo nawicht )>ron i-vestned. Ancre ne ach to 
habben nan Jring j) utwart drage hire heorte. 

Na chefFere ne drive ge ancre, $ is chepilt, ha cheapen hire 
saule to J?e chepmon of helle. Naut ne wite in ouwer hus of 
o*Ser monne jnnges, ne] achte ne claSes. Of swich witung is 
muehel uvel i-lumpen ofte srSen. InwrS ower wanes ne lete 
ge nan mon slepen. Gef muche neod mid alle make breoken 
ower hus, hwil hit eaver is i-broken habbeS )>rinne wrS ow an 
wummon of cleane lif, deies 3 nichtes. For-Ju )?er nan mon ne 
sift ow ne ge him, wel mei don of ouwer claS, beo hit hwit beo 
hit blac, bute hit beo unorne, warm 3 wel i-wracht, felles wel 
i-tauwet, 3 habbeS ase monie as ow to neodcS to bedde 3 to 
ru gg e - Nest flesch ne schal nan werien nan linnene, bute hit 
beo of harde 3 greate heorden. Stamin habbe hwase wule 3 
hwase wule buten. Ge schulen i nan hetter 3 i-gurd liggen. 
Ne beore nan iren ne here, ne ylespiles felles, ne ne beate hire 
ber-wrS ne wrS scurge i-leadet, wiS holine ne wrS breres ne 
biblodegi hira seolf, wrSute schriftes leave. Ne neome ed 
eanes to feole disciplines. Ower scheon beon greate 3 warme. 
In sumer ge habbeS leave barfot gan 3 sitten. Hosen wrSuten 
nampe'S ligge in hwase wule. Sum wummen i-noch raSe wereS 

|>e brech of here fulwel i-cnotted ]?e strapeles dun to J?e fet i- 
acedfulneste. Gef ge inuchil beoS wimpelles, beoS bi warme 
cappen, 3 )>ruppon blake veilles. Hwase wule beon i-segen, 
bach ha atifi hire nis nan muche wunder, ach to Godes echnen 
ha is lufsumere |?e is for )>e luve of him untiffet wrSuten. Ring 
ne broche nabbe ge ne gurdel i-membred, ne gloven ne nan 
swich Jring $ ow ne i-burS to habben. 

Eaver me is leovre, se ge don grattere werkes, ne make ge 
nane purses for to freonden ow wrS, ne blod bindon of seolc, 
ach schapeft 3 seoweS 3 mandeS chirche elates 3 povre menne 
hettren. Nan )>ing ne schule ge geven wrSuten schriftes leave. 
HiweS wi3 ower achne swinch se forS se ge muchgen, to schru- 
ten ow seolven, 3 ]?eo f ow servrS, as seint Jerome leareft. Ne 
beo ge neaver idel, for anan richtes ]?e feont beot hire his were 
be in Godes were ne swinkeS, 3 tuteleS anan towart hire ; for 
hwil he si^S hire bisi, he ^enchcS )ms, 'for naut ich schulde 
cumen nu nech hire, ne mei ha naut i-geinen to lustin min lare.' 
Of idelneise awakened muchel flesches fondunge. Iniquitas 
Sodomce saturitas panis et otium. $ is, Sodomes cwedschipe 



KEUQCIX AXTIQCK. 



■J Of fill 

much? rust; water f ne stsnrS n 









II. From MS. Cotton Tilm, D. ni, wrinea e«rij ia 1 
Uomtttie Mim ^lA* Kwm-faL IB. ,-. 

Ancre r>e schal nawt fi?i-wur5e scole-meister, ne Wraen a 
i ckUdreoe scole. Ge ne schulen senden V 
underfed leltres, newnten.Vjte leave. Gc schulen beo i- 
il*? ger fiftene srSe, 3 fowr sitte i-leten "clod, "j oftre gif n _ _ 
Hwase mai wel beo wrSuten, sch hit mai bolien. H wen ge a 
i-teten btod, ge ne schulen do Jre-o dates na {ring f o«g 
ah talkes to owre servanz, -j wi5 £eaw-fule tales schurtes o 
gederes. Ge tnufaen swa don ofte, hwenow punches hevie, < 
am for sum worldliche £ing sarioSerseke. Swa wisliche * 
ow in owre blod k-tinge, 3 haldes ow i swach rest, -f ge lot 
brafier muben i Godes servtse be mouluker s win ken. And &■ 
bwen ge felen anisecnesse. Muche sotschipe hit is to los 
an dai, lene o5er twelve. Wasches o«- hvet se ned h 
as ge wiln. Anker f naves nawt neh hond hire fode, 

tinmen, an f leave eaver at hame, an o5er -p wei 
ut bwen ned drives, and tat beo ful unorne oSer feir ealde. 
pe wei as ho gas, ga seiende hire beodes, ni ne halde n 
wiS mon ne wiB wummon, ni sitte ne stonde bute pe leas 
ho mei ear ben ho ham cume. Nohwider elles ne ga, bute 
ptfter as mon sendes hire. WiSute leave ne ete ho ne ne drinke 
ute. pe tr8er beo eavcr inne, ne wiSute J>e gate ne ga 
leave. Ba$e beo obedient to hore dame in alle ping bute in 
surine ane. Na ping nalibcn ■]> ho hit mite, ni underfo na ping, 
ne ne give nowSer wiiSuten liire leve. Na mon ne leten m 
nibe gungre ne speke wv5 na wepmon wtfSute leve. Ne ga 
Tioht ut of tune wreuten siker fere ne ne ligge ute. Gif ho ne 
con o boke, segge bi paternostres 3 bi avez hire hures, f wurche 
■|> mon bides hire wi'Sutegrucchinge. Habbe eaver fain 
opene toward hire lafdi. NowSurofpe familiers ne beofram hire 
lafdi ni ni bringe nowSer lo hire idele tales, ne newe tioinges, 
ni' bitwonen ham self ne singen, ni ne speken nane worldliche 
gpeohes, ne lahhen sua ne pleien^S ani mon ty hit sehe mihte to 
uvct lumen hit. Over alle pinge leaeinges ■] luSere wordea 
linticn. Hore her beoi-corven. Lab lokinge habben. Eifter 

II ■ Bchulecusse na mon, ne cu$ mon ne ■ 

mon, in for ii.i cuB'Se cluppen. Ni loke taste na mon ne 
toggle WlB ne pleien. Hare wede beo of swuch schape, -j al 
bore al'ini swuch, |i lin I"" eocene hwer to ho beon i-turnde. 
H.i it latea loken warliche, ■]• nan ne edwite ham in bu», neutof 
1 hi ., On 11II1 w i-i! fnrbeoren te-wradtJen hore dame, and as ofte 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 5 

as bo hit don, ear ho drinken o$er eten, makien hire venie o cneos 
dun before hire, 3 seggen, Mea culpa, and underfo )>e penitence 
^ho leis upon ham lutende hire lake, be anker f ilke gult neaver 
mare grafter ne upbreide for na wradSe, bute gif ho eft sones 
falle i ]>at ilke, ah do hit allunge ut of hire heorte. Gif ani strif 
rises bitwenen hame utewrS, j>e anker make erSer to make oSer 
venie o cneos dun to J?e eorSe, 3 evSer rihte up olSer, 3 cussen 
on ende, and te anker leie on eifter sum penitence, mare up o 
f ilke f great! uker gulte. ])is is a )>ing witen ho wel f is 
Godd levest, sahtnesse 3 somentale, } te feond laSest, for-]ri 
he is eaver umben to reare sum ladiSe. Nu seos te swike wel, 
f hwen far is wel o brune, 3 mon wite f hit ga ut, mon sundres 
te brondes, 3 he dos hond to f ilke. Luve is Jhesu Cristes 
fair, f he will f blasie in owre heorte, and te deovel blawes for 
to puffen hit ut ; hwen his blast ne geines nawt, he bringes up 
sum word, oSer sum o$er hwat hwer ]?urh ho to huren, eifler 
framward o-Ser, 3 te hali gastes fur cwenches hwen |>e brondes 
Jmrh wradSe beon i-sundret. For-)ri halde ham i luve faste to 
gederes, 3 ne beo ham nawt of hwen j>e feond blawe, nomeli 
gif monie beon i-fest to gedere, 3 wr$ luve ontendet. )>ah anker 
on hire servanz for openliche giltes leie penitence, to preost 
naSere latere schriven ham ofte, ah eaver jrah wr$ leave. Gif 
ho ne cunen noht to mete graces, seggen in hore stude pater- 
noster biforen 3 ave Maria, after mete alswa, 3 credo mare. 
And seggen jms on ende, Fader, Sune, Hali Gast, an almihti 
Godd, give ure lavedi his grace, se lengre se mare, 3 leve hire 
3 us baSe nime god ende, for-gelde alle f us god son, 3 milce 
hore sawle, *j f us god i-don haven, hore sawle and alle cristene 
sawle. Bitwene meal ne gruse ge nawt, nowSer fruit, ne o$er 
hwat, ne drinke bute leave, 3 te leave beo liht in al f nis sunne. 
At te mete na word o$er lut, 3 ta stille, alswa after J>e ancres 
cumplie a$et prime, ni do |?ing ne seggen, hwer Jnirh hire 
silence muhe beo desturbet. Nan ancres servante ne ah bi 
rihte to asken i-set hure, bute mete 3 claft $ ho mai flutte bi 3 
Godes milce. Ne mis-leve nan godd hwat se tide of ]?e anker 
f he hire trukie, J?eo $ arn wiftuten; gif ho serven ]>e anker al 
swa as ho mahen, hore hure schal beo j?e eche blisse of heovene. 
Hwa se haves ehe of hope toward se heh hure, gladli wile ho 
serven, 3 lihtliche alle wa 3 alle tene ]?olien, wr$ eise ne wift 
este ne bueft mon nawt blisse. 

Ge ancres ahen jris laste lutle stucche rede to owre servanz 
euche wike eanes, til f ho hit cunnen, and muche ned is f ge 
to ham nimen god geme, for ge muhen muche |?urh horn beo 
i-godet 3 wursnet. On ofter half gif ho sunehen Jmrh owre 
gemeles, ge schule be bicleopet J?rof bifore J?e hehe deme, for- 
Jn as owis muche ned 3 hom gette mare, geornliche leares ham 



6 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJE. 

to halden hare riwle, ba$e for ow •] for ham seolf, lrSeliche 3 
luveliche, for swuch ah wummones lare of relisriun to beon, 
luvelich, *] liiSe, -\ seldscene sturne. Bafte is ribt -p ho ow 
dreden 3 luvien, ah -p ter beo eaver mare of )>e luve ]?en of drede, 
)>enne schal hit wel faren. Mon schal heolde eoli 3 win ba5e 
in wundes after Godes lare, ah mare of softe eoli J?en of bitende 
win, f is, ma of U3e wordes )>en of suhiende, for per of cumes 
binge best, ■£ is, luve eie. Lihtliche 3 swetelich for-gives bam 
hore gultes, hwen ho ham am cnawe, 3 bihaten bote. Ase 
forS as ge muhen ba$e of drinch 3 of mete, of elates 3 of 
o^er )>ing, f ned of ilesch askes, beos large toward ham, bah ge 
narewe beon 3 harde to ow seolven. Swa dos "p wel blawes, 
wendes te narewe of |;e horn toward his ahne muS, *] utward 
te wide. And ge do alswa, as ge wiln f owre beodes bemen 
wel "3 dreamen i Drihtinis eare, nawt ane to owre anres, ah 
to alle folkes heale, as ure Laverd leve |mrh }>e grace of him 
self f hit swa mote. 

J?Ls boc redes hwen ge am eise, euche dai lesse oSer mare. 
Ich hopie hit schal beon ow gif ge hit reden ofte swrSe biheove, 
)mrch Godes grace, elles ich hafde uvele bitohen muche hwile. 
>Ie were levere, Deu-le-set, to do me toward Rome, |?en for to 
biginnen hit eft for to donne. Gif ge finden f ge don alswa as 
ge reden, J?onkes Godd georne. Gif ge ne don nawt, biddes 
Godd are, and beos umben ]?er onuven f ge hit bettere halden, 
after owre mihte. Fader, Sune, Hali Gast, an almihti Godd, 
wite ow in his warde, he gladie ow 3 frovre ow, mine leve sustre, 
and for al f ge for him drehen o$er drehden, ni give ow neaver 
lasse huire Jwn al to gedere him selven. Beo he ai i-hehet fram 
worlde into worlde a on ecnesse. Amen. 

Ase ofte as ge haven red oht o jris boc, gretes ure Lavedi wrS 
an ave for him f swanc her abuten. 

JTrt. 

SI DEDERO. 

From MS. Reg. 8, B. VI. fol. 18, r*, of the sixteenth century. 

Dura cano " si dedero," protinus mea commoda qusero. 

bi dedero, decus accipiam flatumque favoris • 

Ni dwlero, nil percipiam, spem perdo laboris : 

bi dedero, genus accumulo famamque potent w • 

Ni dedero, clauso loculo parit ars sapientis : ' 

Si dedero, mihi laus, lex, et jus prospera dantur : 

S dSfr mhl fraU? ' fel fox * y *™ P ara ^ur ; 
bi aedero, mereor m summa sede locari : 

Ni d«lero, tenui compellor in aide morari ; 

Nid&: H?£ eratus ero> vocor et *"*»« : 

«i dedero, diffamor ego, vocor et viciosus. 

Urt. 



RELIQUIJS ANTIQUE. 7 

ALLITERATIVE POEM ON FORTUNE. 

From MS. Laud. 108. fol. 237. in the Bodleian Library, written early 
n the fifteenth century. 

Here bigynneth Somer Soneday. 

[U]pon a somer soneday se I the sonne, 

Erly risinde in the est ende; 

Day daweth over doune, derk is in towne, 

I warp on my wedes, to wode wolde I wende. 

With kenettes kene, that wel couthe criez conne, 

I hiede to holte, with honteres hende; 

So ryfly on rugge roon and raches ronne, 

That in launde under lynde me leste to lende, 

And lenede; 

Kenettes questede to quelle, 

Al so breme so any belle, 

The deer daunteden in the delle, 

That al the downe denede. 

Denede dale and downe, for dry ft of the deer in drede, 
For meche murthe of mouth the murie moeth made ; 
I ros, and romede, and sey roon raches to 3ede, 
They stalke under schawe, schatereden in schade. 
And lordes lenged, lenged, and ladies leces to-lede, 
With grithle grehoundes gode to game and glade ; 
And I cam to the game, ther gromes gonne grede, 
And at a water wilde I wende over han wade, 
Ther was ; 

I stalked be the stremj, be the strond, 
For I be the flod fond, 
A bot doun be a lond, 
So passed I the pas. 

So passede I the pas, prively to pleye, 
And ferde forth in that frith, folk forto fynde ; 
Lawly longe I lustnede, and under lowe lay, 
That I ne herde hond, horn, hunte, hert, ne hynde. 
So wyde I walkede, that I wax wery of the wey, 
Thanne les I my layk, and lenede under lynde ; 

And als I sat be side, I say soth for to sey, 

A wifman with a wonder whel wene with the wynde, 

And wond ; 

Opon the whel were I wene, 

Merye menj madde i-mene, 

To hire I gan gon in grene, 

And fortune to fond. 



8 RELIQUI.fi ANTIQUE. 

Fortune frend and fo, fayrest fere, 

Ferli fals fikel to fonde is i-founde ; 

The whel $e torneth to wo, fro wo into wele, 

That were in the ronynge ryng of the roe, that renneth so 

rounde. 
A lok of that levedy, with lovelich lere, 
Mi gode gameliche game gurte to grounde ; 
Couthe I carpe carpying, trestly and clere. 
Of that birde bastons in bale ire bounde, 
Ful bowne ; 

Natheles, ne mene I nat nay, 
I wile, ar I wende away, 
Redy resons in a ray, 
Radely to rowne. 

Redely to roune rounes to rede, 

A loveloker levedy liveth non in lond ; 

I wolde han went with that whyt, in worthlich wede, 

So ferly fair of face, to fore hire I fond. 

The gold of hire gurdel gloud as a glede, 

That blisful burde in bale me bond ; 

Of hire lyjth heved in herte I hadde hede, 

And with a wonderful whel that worthi wyth wond* 

Wy th mayn ; 

A wifman of so^much my 3th, 

So wonder a wh§lwry3th, 

Sey I nevere with syjth, 

Soth forto seyn. 

Sothe to seye, sitte I sey, as my sijthe sente, 

A begyngge gome, gameliche gay ; 

Bryjt as the blostme, with browes i-bente, 

On the whel that the wyjth wonede in the wey, 

Wyterly him was wel, whan the whel wente, 

For he layked and low, lenyng als he lay ; 

Loveliche lokyngges the love lime lente, 

A meriere man on molde, monen I ne may, 

In mynde ; 

The gome I gaf a gretyng, 

He seyde, ' Sestou, swetyng, 

The crowne of that comely kyng, 

I cleyme be kynde.' 

'Be kynde it me cometh to cleyme kyngene kyngdom, 
Kyngdom be kynde to me, the whel wile wynde ; 
Wynd wel, worthliche wy3th, fare fortune, frendene flyjth, 
Flitte forth, fly3tte, on the selve sete to sitte.' 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 9 

' Sitte, I say, and sethe on a semeli sete, 

Ry3th on the rounde, on the renny [n]g ryng ; 

Caste kne over kne, as a kyng kete, 

Comely clothed in a cope, crouned as a kyng.' 

Hey herte hadde he, of hastif hete, 

He leyde his leg oponly at his likyng ; 

Ful loth were the lordyng his lordsschipe lete, 

He wende al the world were at his weldyng, 

Ful wy3th ; 

On knes I kysed that kyng, 

He seyde, ' Sestou, sweting, 

How I regne with ring, 

Richest in ryjth !' 

• Richest in ryjth, quen and knyth, knyg conne me calle, 
Mest man of myjth, fair folk to fote me falle ; 
Lordlich lif ledi, no lord lyvynde me i-liche, 
No duk ne dred I, for I regne in ry3th as a riche.' 

Of riche thenketh, rewthe is to rede and roune, 

That sitten on that sameli sete, seththe with sorwe thoruout 

sout; 
And I beheld on hadde an heved hor als horhowne, 
Al blok was his ble, in bitere bales browth. 
His diademe of dyamans droppede a-doun, 
His weyes were a-wey ward, wrothliche wrout, 
Tynt was his tresor, tente, tour and toun, 
Nedful and nawthi, naked and nawth, 
I-nome ; 

That gome I grette with grith, 
A word he warp, and wepte with, 
Hou he was crouned kyng in kith, 
And caytif be-come. 

' Be-comme a caytif, a cast kyngus king couthe me calle, 
Fram frendes falle, lond, luthe, litel, lo! last, 
Last, litel, lordene, lif fikel is, fortune nou fer fro, 
Here wel, here wo, here knyth, her kyng, her caytif.' 

A caytif he was be-come, and komed on care, 
He myste many merthes, and meche maistri ; 
And ech I say, soriere likyng ful sare, 
A bare body in a bed, a bere I brouth him by 
A duk drawe to the deth, with drouping and dare. 

* * ^r V w * »JF * 

The poem ends irriperfectly. 

Mdn. 

VOL. II. c 



10 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 

PROGNOSTICS. 

From MS. Harl. 4043, fol 1. r°. of the sixteenth centurj. 

Clara dies Pauli bonitatem denotat anni ; 
Si fuerint venti, crudelia prselia genti ; 
Quando sunt nebulae, pereunt animalia quaeque ; 
Si nix aut pluvia sit, tunc fiunt omnia chara. 

Fevrier de tous les mois, 

Le plus court et inoins courtois. 

En Mars me lie, en Mars me taille, 
Je rends prou quand on m'y travaille. 

Le cure disoit, Les Pasques pluvieuses, sont souvent frou- 
menteuses. Et son clerc respondit, et souvent fort menteuses. 

Depuis Pasques au jeu, 
Depuis Noel au feu. 

En May rosee, en Mars gresil, 
Pluye abondante au mois d'Avril, 
Le laboureur contentent plus 
Que ne feroient cinq cens escus. 

En Mars (Juand il tonne, 
Chascums'enestonne; 
En Avril s'il tonne, 
C'est nouvelle bonne. 

Es mois d'Aoust et de Juillet, 
Bouche moite, et l'engin sec. 

Hoc mihi dixit hiems, Si sim quandoque morosa, 
£ In candeloso semper ero radiens. a£ 

Des le sainct Martin, 
Boy le nouveau vin. 

Qui voit a Noel les mouschons, 
A Pasques verra les gla^ns. 

La Lune est perilleuse au cinq, 
Au quatre, six, et huict, et vingt. 

Prens du temps la reigle commune, 
Au premier Mardy de la lune 
Le soleil fait par excellence 
Au Samedy la reverence. 

Du Dimanche au matin la pluye 
Bien souvent la semaine ennuye. 

Vendredy de la semaine est 

Le plus beau jour, ou le plus laid. 



RELIQUIjE antique. 11 

Pauvre Laboureur, tu ne vois 
Jamais ton bled beau Tan deux fois ; 
Car si tu le vois beau en herbe, 
Tu ne Py verras pas en gerbe. 

Janvier le frilleux, 
Fevrier gresilleux, 
Et Mars le poudreux, 
May clair et venteux, 
Font Tan et Tom heureux. 

WrU 



PALAMON AND ERSYTE. 

This fragment is copied from a MS. of the time of Henr. VI. preserved in the 

library of Trinity College, Dublin. 

Palamon. 

This Palamon in his bed lay, 
And herd Emlyn syng so dowcely, 
That unto his brother he gan say, 
Wer is my love and my lady 1 

Emlyn* x 

Goyng merely in a garden grene, 
Singyng herself this lady bright, 
She ravisshed bothe the hertes, I wene, 
Of Palamon and his brother Ersyte. 

Palamon. 

Syr Palamon it is my name, 
And for this lady I ber gret blame 
In preson stronge, Emlyn I chese 
Unto my love and my maystres. 

Emlyne. 

thou, Emlyne, thi fayrenes 

Brought Palamon and Ersyte in gret distresse ; 
In a garden whan thou didist syng 
So fresshely in a May mornyng. 

Ersyte. 

1 Ersyte with my brother lay, 
Palamon, whan he chese this may ; 
I had or he of her a sighte, 
Therfore I chalenge hir to righte. 

(No more in the MS.) 
Edinburgh. D> L. 



12 



ftELIQCU AXTIQC. 



METRICAL PROPHECIES. 



at the beginning in a hand 



Warwik. 



Pen. 



Schrowe. 



Derbe. 



Pabi. Lihr. Camb. Kk. 1. & 
•rtheriztoeath 



In the yere of owere tarde a tbowsande v c . lij. and one, 
Schalle theys be doynge and done. 

In Biettane thys ilond, that ys callyd Albyone, 
Grete sorrowe ys lyke to be there in. 

A Beare fowlle and gryssely grette harme schalle 

begyne, 
And mayntenyd he schalle be there ine. 

A Dragone alle grene hys syde schalle of-take, 
But at the laste sowthly he schalle hyme for-sake. 

And thene, jentylle Talbott, be-ware thy hed, 
For swerly a grene Dragone schalle put die to dred. 

And (sic) Eagelle alle bryghte schalle fly alle 

abowyte, 
And helpe the firome there handes, that er so 

hygthe of rowte. 

The Fawcone in me we wylle hyrselfealle gates be, 
The Fennyxe alle sumynge schalle make wepynge 

eyes. 
The Wyghte Horse with leappynge schalle make 

an end 
Of the fowlle evelle Bere, wyche God hathe send. 

But the Dragon alle grene a falle schalle then 

be-tyde, 
And wandere thowe schallte, with owte any gyde. 
And the Coke of the Northe schalle ease thy payne, 
Butt a Wolffe schalle dashe the a-gayne. 
A Bogett of wayttere schalle umble, and also 

brynge 
A flok at hys tayle, to helpe hys lyege kynge ; 
The wyche lyes wepynge, withowte halle or bower, 
Or plase for hyme mete, but one a barre flore. 
And then, alase ! thy yere ys fere spentte, 
Strangeres and tyrrantes that schalle the tormente. 
Also gyde yowe wylle, ladys, that dwelle in bower, 
For your maydens and yowe, theye schalle meste 

dewore. 



Wyn. 



Arendel. 



Pen. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 13 

Trwe wedynges for-gottone of eche mane, 

And lemans For spowses schalle every mane take 

in honde : 
The kynge a pooer maydene schalle ine hys mynde, 
And hys playfelowes hyme Beke, but none schalle 

hyme fynde. 
And of thys lady he schalle get a flowere, 
That schalle warne all kynges as he leste every 

owere. 
Thene gret tokens schalle be sene-in the elementtes, 
And sone alle blody, schalle feldes be wer wayt- 

teres doo rene, 
Thene schalle the kynge gyde as he lyste eche 

waye, 
But he schalle hyme be-hed, for hys folyshe pleye. 
And more traytores he schalle owytte cry at the 

last, 
But smal redrese makynge, the thynges be soo fare 

past. 
Thene hangynge and drawynge thow schallte 

stylle see, 
But moche adewe to set thynges as they hawe bee. 
But at the last God schalle nyme helpe the olde 

waye, 
And schalle alle set in concorde and staye. 
And then, yowe mayddens, that lyes in your 

stronge walle, 
For after thys to your reame schalle no hurte falle, 

Finis. 

Anno Regny Marie, Regene Anglie primi, primo, xix. daye 

July. 

Mdn. 



RULES OF CONDUCT. 



From MS. Sloane, No. 1360, written in the year 1545. A 

101 



Pray not to God wyth thy lyppes only, "/>^6m^. m Jw/L 

But wyth thy heart vervently. , 

In the mornyng ryse erley, f'\^- 

And serve Gfod aevoutly, 

Go to thy meat appertly, 

And syt thereat dyscrytly, 

And receve yt of God thanckefully. 

HUH 



14 RELIQUIAE antique. 

GRAMMATICAL RULES. 

From MS. Sloan. No. 1210, fol. 123, v°, of the fifteenth century. 

My lefe chyld, I kownsel ye 

To furme thi vj. tens, thou awyse ye; 

And have mynd of thi clensoune, 

Both of nowne and of pronowne, 

And ilk case in plurele, 

How thai sal end, awyse the wele ; 

And thi participyls forgete thou nowth, 

And thi comparysons be yn thi thowth ; 

Thynk of the revele of the relatyfe, 

And then schalle thou the bettyr thryfe ; 

Lat never interest downe falle, 

Nor penitet with hys felows alle ; 

And how this Englis schalle cum in, 

Wyt tanto and quanto in a Latyn, 

And how this Englis schalle be chawngede, 

Wyt verbis newtyrs qwen thai are hawede ; 

And how a verbe schalleHbe furmede, 

Take gode hede that thou be not stunnede ; 

The ablatyfe case thou hafe in mynd, 

That he be saved in hys kynd ; 

Take gode hede qwat he wylle do. 

And how a nowne substantyfe, 

Wylle corde with a verbe and a relatyfe ; 

Posculo, posco, veto. 

And yf thou wylle be a grammarion, 

Owne thi fyngers to construccyon, 

The infenytyfe mode alle thorowth, 

Wyt his suppyns es mykylle wroth ; 

And thynk of propumownnys, 

Both of kastels and of townnys ; 

And when oportet cums in plas, 

Thou knawys miserere has no gras, 

mm. 

PROVERBIAL VERSES. 

Written in the margin of MS. Cotton. Cleopatra C. vi. fol. 21, v°. and 22 

r°. in a hand of the thirteenth century. 



•s / 



L[i/^ „ Liber lok and tuinkling, 

! c^~> *'V i Tihing and tikeling, 

^ / ?& * °P in b rest and singing, 

a, J V i'k J>eise midoutin lesing 

Arin toknes of horelinge. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 15 

King conseilles, 
Bissop loreles, 
Wumman schameles, 
Hold-man lechur, 
Jong-man trichur, 
Of alle mine live 
Ne sau I worse five. 

Ne be bi winpil nevere so jelu ne so stroutende, 

Ne J^i faire tail so long ne so trailende, 

That tu ne schalt at evin al kuttid bilevin, 

And toil schalt to bedde gon so nakid as tou were [borin]. 

Wrt. 



DIRECTIONS FOR WRITING IN CIPHER. y „ 

From MS. Sloan. No. 351, fol. 15, v°, of the fifteenth century. In H 

to -h&+>< ( <J # 

C for B, D for C, F for D, G for F, H for G, K for H, 7h+d»»\ 
L for K, M for L, N for M, P for N, Q for P, R for Q, S f*~'A, 
for R, T for S, B for T. (ttl, 

E for A, A for E, I for O, O for I, V for himself, and Y^ ' "$• 
for himself. 

Item, in every word the first consonant shal be changed as 
is abovesaid, and never elles 

Item, when ij. consonants comen togider which will not be 
sowned, ther shal be set bitwene hem, or next afore or after, 
as hit wil falle, this silable ex, the which shal stande for nought 
save for the sownyng of the word. 

Item, for W, sh, Item, for ch, th, and for th, ch, when- 
evere hit happeth in bigynnynge or ende or the myddes of any 
word. 

Item, wherever Q standeth ther shal folwe an U; which shal 
stande for nought but for the sownyng of the word. 

Item, wherever this word the comith, ye shal sette afore this 
lettre R, which wil make Rthe. 

Item, ye shal never set this lettre Y save in such places as 
he may stande for himself, as your, yold, yif, and not for Joy, 
Justes, or Jhesus. 

mm. 



QUEEN CATHARINE PARR'S CHILD. 

The following curious letter from the Duehtss of Suffolk to Mr. Cec 
extracted from MS. Lansd. No. % art. 16. 

It refer* to the child of Queen Catharine Parr hy her third husband, Sir 
Thomna Seymour, Baron Seymour of Suuley, nursed at the Duchess's house 
st Grimesthorpe in Yorkshire, (aee the Archselogia, vol. ix. p. 8.): it also 
contains an inventory of Plate belonging to the Nursery. It is dated 27th 
August, 1548. a lidw. VI. 

Hit is sayd that the best meane of remedie to the sicke, is 
first playnly to confesse and to disclose the disease; wherfore 
bathe for remedie and agayne for that my disease is so strong 
that hit will not be hidden, I will discover me unto you. Ffirst I 
will as hit wore under Benedicite and in hiegh secrecie declare 
unto you that all the world knowethe, though I goo never so 
covertly in my nette, what a vcary begger I am. This sicknes 
as I have sayde I promise you increascthe mightily upon me. 
Amongest others the causes therof is you will understand not 
the least, the Quenes child hathe layen and yet dot he lye at my 
howse with her companie ahowte her, hooly at my chardges. 
I have writcn to my lady Somerset at large, which was the let 
I wrote not this with myne awne haund unto you, and amongest 
other thinges for the child that there may be some pentions 
alot.ted unto her, acording to my lordes grace promise. Now 
good Cicill, help at a pinche all that you may helpe. My lady 
also sent me word at Whitsentide last by Bartue,* that my 
lordes grace at her suite had graunted certeyn nurserye plate 
shuld be delyvered with the child ; and lest there might be 
stey for lacke of a present "bill of suche plate and stuffe as was 
there in the nurcerye, I send you one hereinclosed of all suche 
parcelles as were apointed out for the childcs only use; and 
that ye may the better understand that I cry not before I atrt 
pricked, I send you also mistress Eglenbies (governess) letter 
unto me, who with the maydes nourrice and others dayly call 
on ine for there wages, whose voyces myne eares may herdly 
beare, but my couffers much wurse, — wherfore I cease, and 
committe me and my sickenes to your diligent care, with my 
hertie commendations to your wiefe. — At my mannour of 
Grymesthorpe, the xxviith. of August. 

Your asured loving frend, 

K. SUFFOULK.-r 
Svr.LE\ i-;. 

of the Lords Willougliby d'Eroaby, 



* Richard ISarluo, Esqui 
the Duchesa's husband. 

t Daughter of William, Lord WHloughby, 
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. 



md the fourth wife (relict) o 



RELIQUIiG ANTIQUjE. 



17 



Plate 



Beddinge and 
other estuf. 



indorsed. 



VOL. II. 



A bill of all suche plate and other estuf as 
belong ethe to the norcerye of the Queue's child. 

Ffirste, ij. pottes of silver, all white. 
Item, iij. goblettes, silver, all white. 
Item, one sallt, silver and parcell gilt. 
Item, a maser with a bande of silver and par- 
cell gilt. 
Item, xj. spones, silver, all white. 

r Item, a quyllt for the cradell, iij. pillowes, 

and j. pair fustians. 
Item, in. fetherbeddes, iij, quyltes, and iij. 

pair fustians. 
Item, a testour of scarlette, embrothered, with 

a counterpoint of silke saye, belonging to 

the same, and curtens of crymsyn taffetta. 
Item, ij. counterpointes of imegerye for the 

norces bedd. 
Item, vj. pair shetes, little worthe. 
<( Item, vj. fair peces of hanginges within the 

inner chambTe. 
Item, iiij. Carpettes for wyndowes. 
Item, x. peces hanginges of the twelve 

monethes, within the utter chambre. 
Item, ij. cuyshens, clothe of golde. 
Item, j. chayre of clothe of golde. 
Item, ij. wrought stooles. 
Item, a bedstedde, gillt, with a testour and 

counterpoint, with curtens belonginge to 

the same. 

Item, ij. mellche beastes, whiche were belong- 
inge to the norcerye, the which it maye please 
your grace to wryte maye be bestowede uppon 
the ij. maydes towardes ther maryages, which 
shalbe shortelye. 

Item, one lute. 



To my loving Trend Mr. Cecill, 
attendant upon my Lord 
Protectors Grace. 
27 of August. 
From my Lady of Suffolkes grace to my Mr. 

Concerning the Quenes child nursed at her house at 
Grimsthorp, with a hill of plate belonging to the nurcery. 
Anno. 2. Ed. 6. 

G. J. 4- 



\ 



I 



V 



18 RELIQUIjB ANTIQUJE. 

FRAGMENTARY VERSES. 

From the fly-leaf of MS. Bodley 622, written early in the fourteenth century. 
A later copy occurs in the Cotton MS. Cleop. D. viii. f. 1. 

That in thi mischef forsakit the nojth, 
That in thi bonchef axit the nojth, 
That wanne thou trespassest for-berit the nojth, 
That in thi nede wernit the nojth, 
He is thi Frende. 



Wan y was pore, than was y fre, 

Wenne y gan gedere, tho let y be ; 

Wanne y was ryche, tho was y harde, 

And er y wyste, y deies [deied CotL] amidwarde. 

Alas ! richesse, so mich in thouth, 

To-day y was riche, and now have y [rijt CottJ] nouth. 



A scheld of red, a crosse of grene, 

A croune y-writhe frith thornes kene ; 

A sper, a sponge, with nayles thre, 

A body y-bounde to a tre ; 

Who [so Coft.'] this schild in herte wul take, 

A-monge his enimes thar he nojt quake. 

Mdn. 



BENEDICTION AND PROPHECY. 

From the Pontificate of Egbert, Archbishop of York, in the Bibliotheque 
du Roi at Paris, a fine MS. written about A. D, 950. The first is written 
on a scrap of velum inserted ; the other in a vacant space at the end. 

h\ Broker *Sa leofestan, we onlysaft eow of synna bendum, 
on ge-wrixle "Sses eadegan Petres "Sara Apostola ealdres, "Sam 
$e ure dryhten *8one anweald se^lde synne to ge-bindienne 3 
eft to onlysenne. Ac swa miclum swa eow to belimp"8 eowra 
synna ge-wregednes 3 us to ge-byrcS sio for-gifenes, sie God 
aelmihtig lif y haelo eallum eowrum synnum for-gifen "Surh 
•Sone $e mid him leofaft 3 ricsaft geond world aworld. Amen. 

Anno millesimo septingentesimo nonagesimo, rex captivus, 
regina pcne occisa, vse ecclesise ! principes fugient, sceptrum 
confractum, paulo post reviviscit ferrum et ignis in nobiles, 
spoliatio templi. Hsec Dunstanus servus Dei. 

Wrt. 



RELIQTJIJE ANTIQUE 19 



SCRAPS OF LOVE SONGS. 

From a MS. in the College of Arms, marked £. D. N. No. 27 ; written 
in a small illegible hand of Edward II. time. The second is written as 
prose in the manuscript. 

A levedy ad my love leyt, the bole bigan to belle, 
The cokeu ad the kite key t, the doge is in the welle ; 
Stod y in my stirop streyt, i-schake out of the schelle, 

As ryt as ramis orn. 
Filipe with is fauchun fantes, be god, sayd, rake in hille, 
With arm an . . . the bolle get in the corne, but mi lema[n] 

love well. 
If you love a wenche wel, cry laude and stille, 
Bestir wel, but yef hir noute, grant hir al hir welle, 
Be thou nowt so hardy hir onis to grille ; 
Wan thou hast thin welle, dan let hir morne still with an 
I swar be the leves, let hir ches, were sche wel love or bene. 



As I stod on a day, me self under a tre, 

I met in a morueninge a may, in a medwe ; 

A semlier to min sithe saw I ner non, 

Of a blak bornet al wos hir wede, 

Purfiled with pellour doun to the teon ; 

A red hod on hir heved, shragid al of shridis, 

With a riche riban gold be-gon. 

That birde bad on hir boke evere as he yede, 

Was non with hir but hir selve a-lon ; 

With a cri gan sche me sey, sche wold a-wr-enchin awey, 

But for I was so neye. 

[A line gone] 

I sayd to that semly that Xpx [Crist] should hir save, 

For the fairest may that I ever met ; 

*Sir, God yef the grace god happis to have, 

And the lyginges of love,' thus she me gret. 

That I mit becum hir man, I began to crave, 

For nothing in hirde fondin wold I let ; 

Sche bar me fast on hond, that I began to rave, 

And bad me fond ferther, a lol for to feche. 

' Quaer gospellis al thi speche ] 

Thu findis hir nont hire the sot that thu seche/ 

For me thothe so fair, hir wil wold I tast, 
And I freyned hir of love, therat she lowe ; 
'A! sire/ she sayd, ' hirt thow for non hast, 



20 RELIQUIJS ANTIQUJK. 

If it be your wille, ye an sayd innowe. 

It is no mister, your word forto wast, 

Ther most a balder byrd billin on the bow ; 

I wend be your semlant a chese you for chast, 

It is non ned to mak hit so tow. 

W . . . ri wet ye wat I rede, 

Wend fort ther ye wenin better for to spede.' 



Mdn. 



ALLITERATIVE VERSES. 

From MS. Harl. 3724, fol. 4, r°, of the thirteenth century. 

De sancto Petro martire. 

Petre, piis plausibus pro petra piinito, 
Plaudat prsesens populus pectore polilo ; 
Petrus pater pauperum purus praedicator, 
Petram plebi praedicat pacis propagator ; 
Pungit praedicatio pregnans puritate; 
Pravos parant praelium pleni pravitate ; 
Promunt paricidium patrem perimentes, 
Primipulum puerum primitus petentes j 
Passo Petro pateram poenis perpetratis 
Panditur potentia patris pietatis; 
Pululant prodigia Petro promerenti ; 
Pedes, palmae, palpebrae praebentur petenti; 
Pellitur paralisis, podagra, putredo, 
Pavor, pestilentia, prominens pinguedo ; 
Pagem, Petre, postula prolem procedentem, 
Pacem praesta populo, perde persequentem, 
Praebe posse pariter propulsis peccatis 
Poli palmis perfrui probis praeparatis. 

Amen ! HlllL 

SCRAPS. 

From MS. Bib. Publ. Cantab. Ee. i. 5. of the fourteenth century. 

Al it is fantam that we mid fare, 

Naked and povre henne we shul fare ; 

Al shal ben other mannes that we fore care, 

Ant that we don for Godes love, have we no mare. 

From MS. Dd. xi. 78, also of the fourteenth century. 

Lege hoc versum netrograde et invenies contrarium sen&um, 
Abel. Sacrum pingue dabo non macrum sacrificabo. 
Cairn. Sacrificabo macrum non dabo pingue sacrum. 

HllU. 



RELIQUIjE ANTIQUE. 21 



THE SIEGE OF CALAIS. 

From MS. Cotton. Galb. £. iz. fol. 110. v°. Written on the fly-leaf in a 

hand of the period. 

Her biginyth the seige off Calays, 
in theyer off our LordjM* iiii c . 

In Juyl whan the sone schon, 

Tres, levys, and herbis grene, 

Wyth many sonder colowris ; 

And fresch flowris that April mad, 

Gane for to feynt and to fad, 

Of lusty colowris, 

And or swete odowris. 

And fruyte on tre both gret and smale, 

Gan for to rip and wex fulle pale, 

Than corny th time off labowr; 

To profit and to wirchip wyne, 

In armes, so ther be no treson inn, 

Untruth, ne fals colowr. 

The duk ofBurgayn off grete prid, 

Mad gret assembille in landes wyd, 

In Flanders, and in Breban ; 

Of his power and in chevalry, 

In Burgayn, and in Pikardye, 

Of Henaw, and off Holand. 

A c. 1. M 1 . and mo, 

That weryne alle to ryd and go, 

To ber sper and schild ; 

And mak avant Calys to wyn, 

And schuld dye that wer theryn, 

Both man, woman and chyld. 

The wolles and the merchandyss, 

And othir god with the ymprise, 

They wold have a serteyne ; 

The walles they wold ber a downe, 

Towr, castelle, and dongen, 

Alle schuld be mad fulle playn. 

And so with red baners displayed, 

With o[r]dir in the bateyllys arayed, 

They cum they cum (sic) the towne abote ; 

Statly tentes anon they pyjte, 

Larg and long and gret of syjth, 

It was a ryalle rowte. 

Wyth gunnes gret, and other gret ordinance, 



22 RKLIQUIjE antique. 

Them to help and to avanc, 

With many a prowd pavys ; 

Gayly peynted and stuffed welle, 

Ribawdes armyd with iyrne and stele, 

Was never better off devyce. 

Ix. M l . cokkes to crow at nyjth, 

And viij. M 1 . cressetes to brene 113th, 

Gret wonder to her and se ; 

How sone the had mad her logyng, 

Defens off herth and dikyng 

Redier my*th non be. 

The erle 01 Mortayne mad a diner, 

And felowys be 01 good chere, 

Off no thing hav we no dred; 

I trust to god to se that day, 

That for alle the proud aray, 

Fulle low schalle thay lowth. 

The levetent Ser Johne Raclyf, 

That ever lovyd worschyp and dred repreve, 

Kept fulle god governance ; 

And so did the baron off Dudley, 

In the castell, the soth to say, 

Mad fulle good ordinance. 

My lord Camoys at Bolyn-gate, 

The bulwerkes he did undertak, 

At no tyme wuld he fayle ; 

Nether late ne erly, 

Yff any without wer so hardey, 

It onys to assayle. 

At the Mylk-gate Ser Johne Aston, 

And Ser Jefferey Warbulton, 

With a many a hardy man ; 

The trompetes lowd they dyd blow, 

That the duk myjth well know, 

The wach whan yt bigan. 

The porters kept the gattes full manly, 

The gattes opyn continually, 

To wate thev wer not irk : 

The trew sodiers both day and nythe, 

Lay on the walles in harnes brighe, 

Hit was ther hows and kirk. 

The burges and men wer full bown, 

For to defend the possession, 

Hit longith to them off ry^th; 

The merchanttes wer full redy, 

At all tymes and every skry, 



reliquiae antique. 23 

Hy t was a full good syjth. 

And so did the good comyns, 

That had stuffed well the town, 

With the good and vitayle ; 

In town and feld to rid and go, 

And all odur werkes to doo, 

In all that myjth avayle. 

The women, both yung and old, 

Wyth stones stuffed every scaffold, 

The spared not to swet ne swynk ; 

With boylyng cawdrens both gret and smalle, 

Yf they wold assaute the walle, 

All hote to gev them drynk. 

The furst day ther enmys prowd, 

Gan to skirmysch with schowtes lowd, 

But countred they wer anon ; 

Gonners to schew ther arte; 

In to the town in many a parte, 

Schote many a fulle gret stone. 

Thankyd be God and Mary myld, 

The hurt nothir man, woman, ne chyld, 

To the howsis thow they did harm ; 

Sent Babara ! than was the cry, 

When the stone in the stone (sic) did fly, 

They cowd non other charm. 

And for the duk lay them no nere, 

At the sowth west corner, 

Off gonnes he had a song ; 

That anon he left that place, 

And to the west end he mad a chace, 

Hym thowth he bod to long. 

Ther men myjth se archerys good, 

Cast from them both gown and hood, 

The better for to schote ; 

That Frensch and Flemysch was ful fayn 

To ther tentes to retorn ogayn, * 

They saw non othir boote. 

And one amang, an Iyrysch man, 

Uppone his hoby swyftly ran, 

Hyt was a sportfulle syghte ; 

How hys darttes he did schak, 

And when him lyst to leve or tak, 

They had fulle gret dispite. 

All so a hownd that did hyeghe go by, 

That longid to the water bayly, 

Fulle swyftly wold he ren ; 



i 



24 RELIQUIjE antiquje. 

And every skyrmysch to travayle, 

Man and hors he wold assayle, 

Fulle welle he coude them k[e]nne. 

And so hit byfelle upone a Thyrsday, 

The erle of Mortayn made a fray, 

At seynt Peturs on the playne ; 

And drove them to there tentys nere, 

And toke many a prisonere, 

And many oiFthem were slayn. 

And after they com with gret navi, 

With bolgit schipis fill craftly, 

The havyn for to han schent ; 

At Friday but on the inorow, 

Than began the dukes sorow, 

Hys schypis when he saw brent. 

And so after within a whyle, 

Drawyn a down was hys castell, 

With many a hardy man ; 

His men of armes wer layd to grownd, 

And sum askapid with dethys wond, 

And few off them wer tan. 

The next morow or yt was day, 

Erly the duk fled oway, 

And with hym they off Gant ; 

And after Bruges and Apers both, 

To folow after they wer not loth, 

Thus kept they ther avaunt. 

For they had very knowyng, 

Off the duk off Gloceturs armyng, 

Caleys to rescue ; 

By caus they bod not ther, 

In Flanders he soght hem fer and ner, 

That ever may they yt rew. 

Only God, in whom ys all, 

Sav Caleys that ryall towne, 

That ever yt mot wel cheve 

Unto the crown of mery Yngland, 

Whils that this world wyll stand, 

That neany enmys ytt greve. 

Lytell wote the tool, 

Who myjth ches, 

What harm yt wer, 

Good Caleys to lese. Amen. 

Explicit the sege off Caleys, 

Mdn. 



RSLIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 29 



PROPHECIES RELATING TO EDWARD III. 

From the BibKotheqme du Boi, at Paris, MS. Anclen fonds, No. 5178. 

(Regius, olim Colbertinus). 

Versus inventi Londoni in una pila de corio, de Rege Edwardo 

iii°. post conqvkstum. 

En pila regalis vocitor, turn ludus ejusdem. 
Anno milleno tercenteno duodeno 
Edwardus ternus natus est sub Bricio Sancto ; 
Hie duodecimus est ab arbore nomine regum 

Angliae, Francorum rex gloriosus erit. 
Trans mediterraneum volabit et.aquila grandis, 
Errantes multos adducet ad altitonantem, 
Rebelles caedens mactabit et annumerabit, 
Post rediens pardus praedis visitatis abibit 
Ad reges sanctos, quibus jungetur et ipse. 
Unctio trina patet, quarto nee unctio decet ; 
Post tractum Lachesis infoelix Atropos occat (secat ?), 
Proch dolor ! et geinitus sic deficit Anglicus honor. 
Tolle caput milvi, cancer ter simile fiat ; 
Et medium solis sex lustra notabis et unum. 
Anglorum Regnum Bastard bello superavit, 
Et monasterium construere rexproperavit; 
Jejuniis orans, cupiens de sobole scire, 
Divinum mox responsum merebatur audire. 
Quot pedibus fiat ecclesia Batallise longa, 
Tot annis tua posteritas regnabit in Anglia. 
Quamlibet ecclesiam prolongare voluerunt, 
Trecentos pedes excedere non potuerunt. 
Bruti posteritas cum Scotis associata, 

Anglia regna premet Marte, labore, voce. 
Flumina manabunt hostili tincta cruore, 

Perfida gens omnium fraude subacta ruet ; 
Quern Britonum fundet Albanis juncta juventus, 

Sanguine Saxonico tincta rubebit humus. 
Regnabunt Britones Albanae gentis amici, 

Antiquum nomen insula tota feret. 
Ut profert Aquila veteri de turre loquuta, 

Cum Scotis Britones plurima regna regent. 
Regnabunt pariterin prosperitate quieta, 

Hostibus expulsis, judicis usque diem. 
Historic veteris Gildas luculentus orator 

Haec retulit parvo carmine plura notans, 
vol. II. E 



RHLICjUI.« ANTIQU.S. 

Versus vaticinates editi a Gilila hystoriogra,} 

Regnum Scotorum fait inter cetera regna 

Terrarum quondam nobile, forte, potens; 
Reges magnifies Bruti de stirpe regebant 

Fortiter egregie Scotica regna prius, 
Ex Albiniaceo trina pote potentis jEnea? 

Dicitur Albania, litera prisca probat. 
A Scota nata Pharaonis regis adepti, 

Ut veteres tradunt, Scotia nomenhabet. 
Post Britones, Dacos, Pictos, Hunnosque repulsos, 

Nobiliter Scoti jus tenuere suum. 
Fata ducis Celebris super omnia Scotia rlebit. 

Qui loca septa solo juuget ubique sibi; 
Principe magnifico tellus viduata vacabat, 

Antiques reges justos, largos, locupletes, 

Formosos, fortes, Scotia mccsta luget. 
Ut Mellinus ait, post reges belligerosos. 

Regis more carens regia sceptra geret ; 
Serviet Angligeno regi pro tempore quodam, 

Proch. dolor ! Albania fraude subacta sua. 
Quorum respirabit post regis funus avari, 

Versibus antiquis prisca Sibilla canit. 
Candidus Albanus Patotis causa ruinse, 

Traditione sua socia regna teret. 
Rex Barrolis cam numerosa classe potitus, 

Affliget Scotos ense, furore, fame. 
Extera gens tandem Scotorum fraude peribit, 

In bcllo princeps Noricus ense cadet; 
Gallica quern gignet, qui gazis regna replebit, 

O dolor! o gemitus! iratris ab ense cadet. 
AngliaNeustrenses fcetu decorata leonis, 
Rogibus offensis sit pluribus aucta coronis. 
Anno milleno terccnteno medioque, 
Centum cum deno, populo pugnatur utroque; 
Mens, cur, cor cupiens, lex Christi, vita jocunda, 
Formam cunctoruni tlbi primam dabit futurorum. 
Albus draconem draco rubeum superabit; 
Anglorum nomen tollit, rubeique durabit. 
Cum fuerinl anni completi mille ducenti, 
Et decies deni, post partum Virginis almre, 
Et sex et seni, sulcabunt a?quora remi. 
Inter saxosum vicura castrumque nodosum 
Corruet Anglorum gens perfida fraude suorum. 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUE. 27 



EXTRACTS ILLUSTRATING COSTUME, &c. 

From MS. Land. 416. olim. C. 90, fol. pap. circa. 1460. A paraphrase of 
the Ten Commandments, in 7. line stanzas, illustrated by " Narraciones" or 
Tales. Imperf. at beginning, as the first fol. is marked xxxv^j. 

Under the Third Commandment not to break the Sabbath, occur these 
lines, f. 44. v a . 

Also use not to pley at the dice ne at the tablis, 

Ne none maner gamys uppon the holidais ; 

Use no tavernys where be jestis and foblis, 

Syngyng of lewde balettes, rondelettes, or virolais ; 

Nor erly in mornyng to fecche home fresch mais, 

For yt makyth maydins to stomble and falle in the breirs, 

And afterward they telle her councele to the freirs. 

Now y-wis yt were wele done to know 

The ayfference bytwene a damselle and a maide, 

For alle bene lyke whan they stond in a row ; 

But I wylle telle what experience said, 

And in what wyse they be entyrid and araied ; 

Maydyns were callis of silk and of thred, 

And damsellis kerchevis pynnid uppon ther hed. 

Wyffis may not to chirch tille they be entyred, 
Ebridyjlid and paytrellid, to shew her aray, 
And fetyd alle abowte as an hacony to be hyred ; 
Than she lokyth aboute her if eny be so gay ; 
And oon thyng I comend, which is most to my pay, 
Ther kerchef hanggyth so low, that no man can a-spye, 
To loke undirnethe oons to shrew her eie. 

Jangelyng in chirche among hem is not usid, 
To telle alle her howswyfry of the weke byfore ; 
And also her husbondis shalle not be accusid, 
Now crokyd and crabbed they bene ever more ; 
And suche thyngges lo ! they can kepe no store, 
They bene as close and covert as the horn of Gabrielle, 
That wylle not be herd but from hevyn to helle. 

Under the Sixth Commandment the writer is very severe against women in 

the following lines ; /. 54. 

But and the wyf oons happe to go astray, 
Hyt hard is for evyr to gete yt a wey. 

Tylle dethe depart she wylle not blynne, 
She is nothyng jelows of her name ; 



B RELIQUl-E ANTIQWi. 

For she is so bold off her eynne, 

She seilh it is but a comyn game ; 

Why shuld she than liave eny shame, 

Yf she can eny goodly man a-spie, 

Wyth her crokyd instrument encrese and multeplie. 

In suche foule lustis is moste her delyle, 

And to make her fresh wyth gay attyris; 

She sparith no cost to yef men aptyde, 

To sette up her hornys with long wyris; 

And to be made inuche of she gretly desyris ; 

She wil be redy with the twynkelyng of an eic, 

And wyth her lytille whetyng-cornc to encrese and n 

Or oon straunge thyng she held hir not paide, 

Slie must eche day have chaunges new ; 

And if eny be bettyr than she araide, 

Or have clothyng of a fressher hew, 

Then to have ther of slie wille fast pursew ; 

And if that she have it not, ye must sey her why. 

Or els wyth her twachylle wille encrece and multeply 

Bochas rebersith of wyfis many oone, 
Which to her husbondis were contrarious ; 
Among alle other he wrytyth of oone, 
Semeramis hir name, of luvyng vicious, 
Quene of Assirie, be cailyth bir thus; 
Which wold no man in eny wyse denye. 
But wyth her crokid shap encrece and multeply. 

She ne sparid straungcr ne other, 

And if be come not, she wold hym calle ; 

She take her soime and eke her brother, 

Suche a Ms lust was on her falle ; 

Hir corage was to have ado with alle ; 

She had no mynd that she shuld die. 

But with her piety tytmose to encrece and multeply. 

And yet the most party, by God, I dare welle saye, 
Are of an hole inj ude fitlle stedfast and sure; 
Buxom and bonairo, nnd mekc as a maie. 
And without man they can right welle endure ; 
Of clennes and chastylij tin y have bothe in cure; 
And yet som men wille thy nk and say that y lie, 
There are so many workais to encrece and multeplye. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjB. 

I can fynd do man now that wille enquere. 

The parfyte wais unto Duninow; 

For ihey repent hem within a yere, 

And many within a weke, and sonner, men trow; 

That cawsith the weis to be rowgh and over grow. 

That no man may fynd path or gap, 

The world is turnyd to another snap. 

Befe and moton wylle servo wele enow ; 
And for to seche so ferre a lytill bakon flyk, 
Which hath long hanggid, resty and tow; 
And the wey I telle you is comborons and thyk, 
And thou might stomble, and take the cryk ; 
TheTfor bide al home, what so ever hap, 
Tylle the world be turnyd into another shap. 

Mdn. 



THE PROPERTIES OF GOOD WrNE. 

From MS. Lanadowne, No. 397, fol. 0, t°. of the BjnrceenlL century. 
It is a different anil more complete copy of the scrap printed at p. 278 of our 
tint volume. 

De vino. 
Savez-vous coment homme deit le vyn prisir, quant homru le 
trove freit et de bon boysoun ? xx. lettres y ad, hien les sai, 
ore les escotez et jeo les vous nomerai. iij. B, iij. C, iij. N, iij. 
S, et viij. F. Les iij. B dient q'il ost bons, beus, et bevalc. 
Les iij. C dient q'il est court, clers, et crespe. Les iij. N, q'il 
est lu.l , neays, et naturels. Les iij. S dient q'il est sek, sayn, 
et sade. Les viij. F dient q'il est freit, fresche, fryant, fre- 
roissaunt, furmentel, feire, fyn, e Fraunceys. Et oi crust-il ? 
II crust sur le croupel de la mountaigne en coundos d'nn lary 
en agayt du soleil ou li un grayn regard lui autres sicom confet 
fait poucin en arrys du vilayn, oil onkes grayn de feus n'i entra, 
si le douz russinolle ne le porlast en son duz bek volaunt, et 
ret cum rasoure de gyngaunt qe ret mil moignes a un afilee, 
le cum carboun de chenvert, rampaunt cum csquirel du 
boys, beaux cum chevaler, pleisaunt cum dame, fort cum toure, 
descendant cum foudro, ciliaunt cum fuge de charrete, poignant 
cum aloyn de cordewaner, cler cum lerme de senge qe plort 
par force de vent de bise quant set sur croup de somer, poy- 
Koun au vilayn, treacle a dame. E coment fait a boivre 1 un 
tecum, od un tendrc flemyschele ellise cognule ryolle, un 
sufrle et descreve cum emfs qui ad la verole. Eye, vin, bons 
ce-tu, douz es-tu, mult des melles fais-tu, ines quant tu les ad 
fait lu les peeses, ore tere ta buuche, si ma beses. 

Wrt. 



30 RELIQUI^ ANTIQUJI. 



SONG OF THE BOAR'S HEAD. ' 

From MS. Porkington, No. 10. sm. 4to. sec. 15. on paper. This Song or 
Carol differs from the two on the same subject printed in Bitson's Ancient 
Songs, p. 126. 

Hey, hey, hey, hey, the borrys hede is armyd gay. 
The boris hede in hond I bryng, 
With garlond gay in porttoryng, 
I pray yow alle with me to synge, 



With hay. 



Lordys, knyjttes, and skyers, 
Persons, prystis, and wycars, 
The boris hede ys the furt mes, 



With hay. 



The boris hede, as I yow say, 

He takis his leyfe, and gothe his way, 

Gone after the xij. theyl ffyt day, 

With hay. 

Then cdmmys in the secunde kowrs with mykylle pryde, 
The crannus, the heyrrouns, the bytteris by ther syde, 
The pertrychys and the plowers, the wodcokus and the 
snyt, 

With hay. 

Larkys in hot schow, ladys for to pyk, 
Good drynk therto, lycyus and fyne, 
Blwet of allmayne, romnay and wyin, 

With hay. 

Gud bred alle and wyin dare I welle say, 

The boris hede with musterd armyd soo gay ; 

Furmante to pottage, with wennissun fyne, 

And the hombuls of the dow, and all that ever commis in ; 

Cappons i-bake, with the pesys of the roow, 

Reysons of corrons, with odyre spysis moo. 

It ends abruptly thus at the bottom of a page. 

Mdn> 



^ iw RELIQUXJS ANTIQUE. 31 






f^^.M l'" v A BRIEF DIARY. 

Written apparently by some citizen of London, temp. Hen. VII. and 

Hen. VIII. from MS. Vespasian A. zxv. 

K. H. the vij. 

M. Remyngton, mayir. Then came yn my lady Kataryn, the 
kyngges doughter, of Castell, into Ingland. 

M. Schawe, mayir. Then was prince Arthur, the son of kyng 
H. the vij., maryid unto my lady Kataryn above said, at 
Polles; and agaynst her commyng into London was many 
goodly pageantes made in the citte, at Alhalowtide, when they 
weere maryid. 

M. Bartilmew Reede. Then dyid prynce Arthur above sayd. 

M. Capelle^ mayir. Then was London Bridge a fyir. 

M. Wynggar, mayir. 

M. Kneisworth, mayir. Then came in dewke Phillip, of Bur- 
gon, agaynst his wille with tempast of wethir, as he was goyng 
into Spayn, whiche afterward was kyng of Castelle. Then was 
Polles wethir-cok blown doun. 

M. Haddon, mayir. 

M. Brown and M. Elmar, mayir. 

M. Jenyngges, mayir. Then dyid K. H. the vij. the xxij. 
day of Aprelle; then did the duke of Yorke, whiche was 
brothur unto prynce Artur aforesayd, mary with my lady 
Kataryn his brothers wife, and was crounyd bothe kyng and 
quene, on Midsomer day, Sonday next after following. 

K. H. the viij. 

M. Bradbery and M. Capell, mayrs. Then was Richard 
Emson and Edmond Dudley, which was afore chefe men with 
K. H. the vij., behedid at Touer hille, and then was pette 
waals in Temmys strete a fyir. 

M. Kebylle, mayir. 

M. Arsscheley, mayir. 

M. Cepynger and M. Haddon, mayrs. Then went K. H. 
the viij. into Ffraunce, with a grete pouer. Then the emprour 
that then was, whois name was Maximyanus, and alle his oste, 
toke wages of our Kyng, and then was Torwyn and Torney 
won and gevyn away anone after. Then came yn Kyng Jamys 
ot Skotlond, with a grete powar, ffull cowardly when our kyng 



BELIQUI.E ANTIQUJU 

was in Ffraunco, and was kyldc for his labour. And on sayrrt 
Laurans day way the Regent of Ingland and the grete caricke 
of Praonce burnd, whichewas ij. the gretist shippea it. ■ 

llljj]]. 

M. Brown and M. Tate, mayirs. 

M. Monox, mayr. 

M. Bullar, mayir. 

M. Rest, mayir. Then was the Ille May-day, the comons of 
the citto and prentesis did rob and spoy lie stray ngars; and 
then was in diverce places of thecitte galons setup, and there 
was hanggid and quartarid. Then was Midsomer ternie kept 
at Oxford a litille while. 

M. Exmew, mayir. 

M. Morfyn, mayr. Then was the Menoris burnd. 

M, Yarford, mayir. 

M. Brigges, mayir. Then was Ihe Deuke of Buckyng] 
behedid at Towr Hille, the xvij. day of Maye, Fryday, a 
:i freer Austens. 

M. Mylburn, mayr. Then came in the emprour Chi 
whiehe was son of the Kyng of Castelle aforesayd. 

M. Mundy, mayir. Then came yn the Kyng of Deni 
and his queue, and lay in the Bisshop of Bathis place, will 
Tcmpulle bar, and then was the Roodes lost. 

M. Bawdre, mayir. 

M. Bayly, mayir. 

M. Allen, mayir, 

M. Scmer, mayir. 

M. Spenser, mayir. Then was no watche kepte at Midi 

M. Rudstone, mayir. 

M. Dodmore, mayir. Then was the Cardcnalle pute o 
his Chauncelarsliip, and Sir Thomas Moore Knyght, was 
Cliauncelar of Ingland. 

M. Pargetar, mayir. 

M.Lambart.inair. ThencameinagretefhsshealTynm 

M. Pccok, mayir. Then was queue Kataryn lady douaj 
[mi aside | (lien did the Kyng mary with my lady An Bui 
and crounyd her queene at Westminster on Witsonday, 
fyrst day of Juno. 

M. A^kew. mayir. Then was the holy mayde of Kem 
Hen, tj. monkes, and the parson of Aldermary, drawn f 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 33 

the Touer to Tiburn, there hangid and hedid ; then was Mr. 
Doctor Taylar, prest, put oute of the Rolles, and Mr. Thomas 
Cromwelle, temporalle man, made master of the Rolles and the 
Kyngges secretary, and after that lord preve sele, and after 
that vicar generalle of alle Ingland and Knyght of the Gartar, 
and after that lord Chamburlayn and Erlle of Esex. 

M. Champney, mayir. Then was iij. monckes of the Chartar- 
houce of London, and the ffather of Syon, and a preest, drawen 
firom the Towr to Tiburn, ther hangid, hedid, and quartarid; and 
after that iij. monckes more of the Chartarhouce, and the Bisshop 
of Rochester, behedid at Tour hille on Midsomer eve, is eve, 
and is beryid in Barkyng churcheyard, by the northe doore ; 
and Sir Thomas Moore, Knyght and Chauncelar of Inglond, 
behedid at Tour hille, on Saynte Thomas eve after Midsomer, 
and was beryid within the Tour of London ; then the Kyng 
made his owne hed to be pold, and many lordes and knyghtes 
and alle the Corte. 

M. Allen, mayir, agayn twyis hole for hymselfe. Then dyid 
quene Kataryn aboute twelfetide, and was beryid in Petur- 
borow Abbey. The xvij. day of Maye was behedid at Tour 
hille, my Lorde Recheford, quene Ans Brothur, and M. Noris, 
M. Weston, M. Breuton, and M. Marke for treson, and beryid 
alle in the Tour; the xix. day of Maye was beheded within the 
Tour, apon a skaffold, quene An, and there was beryid. Then 
the kyng did mary with my lady Jane Semer. Then dyid the 
Kyngges bastard son, deuke of Rechemond, at saynt Jamys be 
yend Charyng -|-. Then roos up the comons of Lyncolshere 
and of Yorkesheer. Then was dyverce halidays put doun, 
and then began the abb6s to go down. 

M. Waren, mayir. Then was my lord Garet, the Erlles son 
of Kildare in Erlond, and v, of his unckulls, drawen from the 
Tour to Tiburn, there hanggid, hedid, aud quartarid, the morow 
after Candilmas day, Satterday the xxv. day of Maye. Fry- 
day, Inbir day, was sir John Browmer Knyght drawn from 
the Tour to Tiburn, there hanggid, and hedid, and his wife 
that same our burnd in Smythield, both for treson, and sir 
Hevyn Hamorton Knyght, and sir Nicolas Tempas, the abbot of 
Fountans, thepriour ofGisburgh, and doctor Pekeryng, drawn 
from the Tour to Tiburn, there hanggid, hedid, ana quartarid. 
The ij. day of June, Satterday, was sir Thomas Perci Knyght, 
my lorde Lumley, is son sir Ffraunces Beygot Knyght, the 
abot of Jar vis, drawn from the Tour to Tyburn, ther hang- 
rid, hedid, and quartarid. On Saynt Peturs eve, was my 
lorde Hussey, and sir Robart Constabulle Knyght, and M. 
Aske, which was the hed capten of alle, sent home into the 

VOL. II. v 



:11 BELIQUI.E ANTIQUE. 

iKBthe nontre, and there they suffred dethe, and M, A 
hanggid in York castell in cheynys. The last day of .Turn:, 
Sattcrday, was my lorde Darcy behedid at Tour tulle* On 
Saynte Edwardes eye, Ffryday, in the mornyng, was 
Edward boom, the trewson of K. H. the viij. and qui ; 
his mothur, in Ham ton Corte. His gotlffathurs was fhe deuke 
of Norfock, and the dcuke of Suffocke, and the bisschop of 
Caunlurbery, and his gndmothur, was his owne sister, which 
was dooughter of quene Kaiaryn afoTesayd. On Saynl 
pyns eve, Wensday, dyid quene Jane in childbed, ami i • 
in the castell of Wynsor. 

M. Gressam, mayir. On Saynt Mathies day i hapos tulle, the 
xxiiij. day of February, Souday, did the bisshop of Rochester 
preclie at Polles Cros, and had standyng afore hytn ;■ 
sermon tyme the pictur of the Roodt? of Grace in K. : 
had byn many yeris in the abbey of Boxley in Kent and was 
gretely sought with pilgryms, and when he had made an ends 
ill his sermon, the pictor was toorn alle to peces ; thru 
piciour of Saynte Saviour, that had stand in Barmsey abbey 
many yeris in Sowthwarke, takyn down. The xxij. day of 
May, Wensday, was there setup in Smythfeld, iij. skal 
then one was for my lord mayir ami aldyrmen, and the deuke 
of Norfock, the deuke of Suffocke and my lord prove sele, and 
the tothir for the bisshop of Worcetter, wheerun he stoodc and 
preche, and the third skaffold was made over agaynst the 
bisshop, whereon stode doctor Fforrest, a graye freer of Grene- 
witche, at Polles Crosse, and beside hym was there a pictfllir 
set up, that was brought oute of Walis that was callid Dervelle 
Gadern, and a litille beside that, a payr of galous set up, and 
when the bisshop had made an end of his sermon, then 
freer had to the galous, and haiiggid alive by the myddyll, and 
the armys with chaynys, and there burnd, and the pic:.' 
into the fyir to. Then was the pictour of our lady of Worcetter 
brought to Loudon. Then was the rode that stode in Savnt 
Margit Pattens Churcheyard takyn awaye, which had stonde 
there xxxv. yere and more, and withyn a litille while after, 
there was burnd on a nyght over agaynst the same churche, a 

ayne of housis. Then was the pictor of oui I 
Walsynggamo whiche was the grettist pilgremaye in alle In- 
■oughl to London. Then was the rode of Northor and 
Saynl Unckumbur, that stode in Polles many yeris, t ah;. 
anil Our Lady of Grace that had stond in Polles man) 
Then was Saynl Thomas schryne of Canterbury, take 
1 ad byn many yeris a grete pilgremage. Th 
every man, woman, and child, commaundid (o lerne tl v 
nosier, aw, and crede, in Englissche. Then hil w(i 



RELIQUIJS ANTIQUJE. 35 

maundid that no light shuld be set in churchis afore no image, 
but all take awaye. 

M. Fforman, mayir. Then was the monckes of the Chartar- 
house, and alle the freers in London, put oute of ther housis . 
The ix. day of Dissembar, Monday, was beheddid at Tour 
Kile the erlle of Devensheer, othurwyis callid Markes of 
Excetter, whiche was nye kyn unto the kynge and my lorde 
Muntegewe and Sir Edward Nevelle, knyght. The viij. day 
of Maye, Thursday, did all the citte of London every house- 
holdar hymselfe, and every servant that he had that was par- 
sonabulle, had harnes les or more, and white cotes and a red 
crose, and a swerd set apon the cote, bothe behynd and be- 
fore, and alle the chefe men had ther cotes some of white satten 
and som of white damaske, and crossis and swerdes upon them, 
as alle the tothir had ; then went they alle, and my lorde 
mayir, and alle the aldirmen, to Myle-end withoute Algate, 
in the mornyng, and there they weere set forthe, be five in a 
ray, with standardes born afore them, and drounslates playing 
afore them alle the way, and they weer devided in iiij. battelles 
with bowis, gonnys, mores, pikes, and billes, and so came 
thorow alle the Citte and thorow alle Westmynster, andaboute 
alle the newe parke, and came homwarde by Saynt Jamys, 
and so over the feldes, and thorow Holburn, and so home agayn; 
and the kyng stode at Westmynster over the new gate, and 
saw them alle from the begynnyng to the endyng. Then was 
no watche kepte at Midsomer. The ix. day of July, Wensday, 
was beheddid at Tour Hille, sir Andry Ffbskew Knyght, and 
a Knyght of the Roodes. Then did the bisship of Worcetter, 
whois name was Latemar, geve up his bisshiprike to the kyng. 

M. Hollys, mayir. The iijde. day of Jenyver, Satterday, did 

the kvng, and alle the noblis of the reme, and the mayir, and 

alle the aldirmen in ther best araye, and every craft in ther 

best araye, went down in ther barges to Grenwitche, and every 

barge as goodly drest as they coude device, with stremars and 

bannars, and ther the kyng did mete and reseve on Blacke- 

heth my Lady An, the deukes doughter off Kleve, and made 

her queene of Inglond. The xxviij. day of July, Wensday, 

was behedid at Tower hille, Thomas Cromwell e, whiche that 

had byn afore master of the Rolles, and after that the Kynges 

secretary, and after that vicar generalle, Knyght of the Gartar. 

Erlle of Esex, and lord Chamburlayn of Ingland; and my lord 

Hunggurford was beheddid theer that same tyme too. The 

xxx daye of July, Fryday, was there drawn from the Tower 

to Smythfeld vj. doctors, lij. of them was burnd and the tothir 

iij. was hanggid and quartarid; they that were burnd, ther 

namys weer doctor Barns, doctor Garet, parson of Honny- 



86 



ELjQUIJi ANTIQUE. 



lane, doctor Jherom, vicar, of Stepney; and ther nan 
was quartarid, doctor Powelle, doctor Abelle, and doctor 
Fethurstone; and the heddes of my lord Croumwell, and my 
lorde Hungurford, weer set up on London bridge, tu 
body is beryid in the Tour. This same yere was queue An, the 
dewkes doughter of Kleve aforesaid, pute aside. The viij. day 
of August, Sonday, did the kyng mare with my lady Kataryn 
Haward, the deuke of Norfocke his brothurs doughte 
made her quene of Ingland. That yere dy id my lorde of Saynl 
Jhons in his bed, whois name was William Weston ; and that 
yere was new sargeantes of the queff made and kept* 
ffeste at Saynt. Jhons. That summer was a hoote, and drye, 
and of grete detlie, and greete of the agew. 

M. Roche, mayir. That wynter, was a very colde ■ 
as was many yeris afore. The xxvij. day of May, Fry day, 
was the countes of Salisbory heheddid within the Tower. 

The xxviij. day of June, Tewisday, was my lorde Lcnard 
Markes behedid at Tower hitle. The xxix. day of June, 
day, Saynt Peturs day, was my lord Dakars of the southc led 
betwene hothe the scherevis of London afote from the 
to Tiburn, and there was he hanggid. That yere tin 
rode in progrece to Yorke, and all the centre about' 
yere was take doun the loyt in Polles, whereyn stode 1 1 n 
of Northor and Saynt Arluolles Schryme in Polles, and 
Edwardes sohryne a! Westminster, and the said lord Dakars 
above saide was beryid in Saynt Powlkurs Churche, and the 
said lord Dakars was hanggid for robbre of the kynggi 
and murther of the kepars, 

1542. 

M. Dormor, mair, the x, day of Dessember, Salter Jn 
M. Cowlpeppir and M. Duran drawn from the To 
Tiburn. Coivlpcppur was heddid, and Duran was h 
and quartarid, botlie them for playng the harlotte with 
Kataryn that then was. 

The xiij. day of Febreuary, Monday, was quecne Kalarj n 
and my lady Recheford behedid, bothe in the towr of London ; 
the xvij. day of Marche, Friday, was a maydc boyld in Smyth- 
feld, in a grete led, for poysenyng of many that she had doon. 
This yere came oute of Erlond the erlle of Desmond, 
grete Anee! and othur lordes of Erlond, and did submyt them- 
selfe to our kyng; and this yere Hie dewke of Norfoc 
othur erlles and lordes with a grete army of men into Skotlarj& 

This yere was Choun cere -lane, and Ffayter-lane, and Scho- 
lane, alle thorow pavid. And this yere was the new chi 
in Tempulle garden. And allc this summer wa? 
r and wete. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 37 

M. Gotes, mayir. Then came into Inglond kynge Jamys of 
Skotland, with a pouar of men, after Alhalow tide, and one 
John a Musgrave, with his company, met with hym, and in 
that skyrmysche the kyng was hurte or drounde ; and there 
was takyn of the Skottes xxj. or xxiij. personars, that is to 
say, ij. erlles, vj. lordes, and alle the othur knyghtes and jen- 
tilmen, and they were brought to the kyng, to London, the 
xix. day of Dessember. In the monthe of July the kyng did 
mary with my lady Kataryn Latemer, wedow, and made her 
queen ; and this wynter was a colde wynter, hit began afore 
Cristmas and lastid tell Ester Monday, of and on, and of grete 
dethe, and parte of Mighellmas terme was kepte at Saynt 
Albons. How be hit that M. Bowear was at that tyme mayir, 
for the terme begain after Alhalow tide, bycause of the grete 
dethe that was the sommer before. 

M. Bowear and M. Waren, mayrs. This yere dyid in his 
bed at Crichurch, sir John Audeley, lorde Chauncelar of Ing- 
lond, and M. Bowear beyng mayir. This yere was moche 
harm doon in Skotland, as Edynborow and othur townys 
burnd and spoylid; and this yere the suffragis that longgid to 
the lateny was songe in Englissche toung ; and this yere the 
kyng, in the monthe of July, went into Ffraunce with a gret 
powar of men. And this yere was the yere of our lord God, 
1544, and the xxxvj. yere of the reng of kyng Harv the viij. 
And this yere was Bullen won and gevyn up ; and this yere 
was the angelle nobulle reysyd to viij. s. 

M. Laxton, mayir. This yere was Jhesus stepulle, that 
stode in Polles churche yerde, take down, and no watche kepte 
at Midsomer, nor Midsomer terme kepte. The xxij. day of 
August, dyid in his bed, in Gilford, the dewke of SufTocke, 
whois name was Charles Brandon. The xij. day of Septem- 
bar, Satterday, in the mornyng, about five of the klocke, was 
Saynte Jylis churche burnd, belles and alle, withoute Crepille 
gate. The viij. day of Octobar, Thursday, at nyght, aboute 
vij. a klok, was a ship of a nothur cuntre burnd at Blacke- 
walle, thorow mysefortune of fyir. 

M. Bowser. This yere dyid my lorde Bawdwyn, chefe 
justise of the Commen place. Then did my lorde Muntegew, 
whiche was chefe justise of the Kyngges benche, make labour 
for to be chefe justise of the Commen place, and so he was ; 
then was my lorde chefe baarn of the Kyngg's Excheker, whois 
Dame was Lister, made chefe justise of the Kynngs benche 
and sargeant, alle oone day, the day the ix. day of November, 
Monday, in the yere of our lorde God xv C. xlv. in the xxxvij. 
jrere of the reng of K. H. the viij. 



38 RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 



DEFINITION OF ROBBERY, 

From MS. Sloane, 1785, of the fourteenth century. 

Be latrocinio manifesto. 

Aperte thefte dos he that man, 
That thorou sleght apertly stele can, 
And hauntis of that foly, 
To susteyne hym and his therby ; 
He were worthe. as I understond, 
To be hanged thorou lawe of lond. 
A pry v6 thefte dos he this, 
That takes oujt that is not his, 
And holdes it pry vely as his owen, 
And jut is he for trewe man knowen ; 
But whether he take more or lesse, 
A pry ve thefte he that es ; 
But al if he here befor trew kid, 
Fro God may not that theft be hid ; 
And if he scape her the law of londe, 
To Gods law hym behoves stonde. 
For whan his soule is hethen flemed, 
Thorou Gods law he shal be demed, 
And parchaunce to endles payne, 
But he 3elde it here agayne. 
A covert thefte dos he in case, 
Wich kepynge of his lordis goodis hase. 
As bailyfcs, sergeaunt of gray ve, 
That falles his lordis rent recey ve ; 
And his acountcs recken les 
The recey tes than the spence es; 
So sleghly he can his acountes sette, 
That his lorde rennes in his dette, 
And puttes hymself to avauntage, 
There he shuld be in arerage, 
So sleghly steles his lordis rente, 
Methinke he were worthi to be shent. 
Jette thorow colour of his offyce, 
He hauntes coverly this vice, 
Avauntage of other men to take, 
With falce sley thes that he can make ; 
Thus can he covertly stele, 
And $itte it semys that he were lele, 
But 3if he west what he were worthi, 
For seche dedis he aujt be sory. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 39 

Also a 3ife schuld honour stonde, 
That takes the goodes of hyre husbond, 
Agayne his leve or his wylle, 
She stelis that good and dos fill ille ; 
Or he that is a man of religiouse, 
That takys the godis of his house, 
Witoutyn leve of his soverayne, 
He stelis thoo goodys for certayne ; 
For wyfe ne man of religioun, 
Of thoo goodis that ar comoun. 

Hllll 



A BALLAD. 

From MS. Harl. 1370, of the seventeenth century. 

I have been in debt, in love, and in drinke, 

This many, many yeare ; 
And those three plagues were enough on would thinke, 

For any mortall to beare. 

'Twas love made me fall into drinke, 

And drinke made me run into debt ; 
And although I have strugled and strugled and strove, 

Yet I cannot get out of them yet. 

'Tis mony that only can cure me, 
And ease me of my paine ; 

Itt will pay oi all my debts, 
And remove all my letts, 
And my mistris that could not indure me, 
Would love me and love me againe, 
And then I'd fall to lovinge and drinkinge amaine. 

Hllll 



A SONG. 

From MS. Harl. 1317, of the time of Henry the Eighth. It appears to be 

incomplete. 

Wep no more for me, swethart, 

Wepe no more for me ! 
As sharpe as a dart 
Hathe perysht my hart, 

That yo shod morne for me. 



40 RBLIQUIJS ANTIQUJB. 

Upon a mornyng of May, 
In the mornyng grey, 

I walkyd plesantly, 
To a garden gren, 
So fresh be-sen, 

That joy hyt was to se. 

Ther walkyd I, 
Al so burly, 

Musynge myselffe alone ; 
Tyll sodenly 
I blenkyd my ny, 

Wher I spyyd wone. 

Whych in gret payne, 
Methowt sarteyne, 

Hyt semyd that he was ; 
Hys gowne al blake 
Apon hys bake, 

Lyke lede hys. colore was. 



HUll. 



SCRAPS. 

From MS. Sloane, No. 1210, of the fifteenth century. 

fol. 126, r°. Characteristics of the Months, 

Januarius Februarius Martins 

Poto, ligna cremo, de vite superflua demo, 

Aprilis Mains Junius 

Do gramen gratum, mihi servit flos, mihi pratum, 

Julius Augustus September 

Foenum declino, segites tero, vina propino, 

October November ' December 

Semen humo jacto, mihi pasco sues, mihi macto. 

fol. 134, r°. Proverbial Sayings. 

Qworle in tho qwew go lyghtly, 
Qwene I was a jong man so dyd I. 
Gira in algore leniter, 
Quum fui juvenis ita feci. 

Tho smallere pese tho mo to the pott; 
Tho fayrere woman tho more gyglott. 
Quo graciles pisee plures offendimus ollae ; 
Quo mage formosa mulier mage luxuriosa. 

WrL 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 41 



CHARACTERISTICS OF COUNTIES. 

following piece, which differs a little from the copy given in our first 
i, p. 269, was printed from a different MS. by Thomas Hearne, in the 
iction to the fifth volume of Leland's Itinerary. 

Here sueih the proper tees of the shyres of Engelond. 

The propyrt6 of every shyre 

I shal you telle, and ye will here. 

Herefordshire, sheeld and spere ; 

Worsetershire, wryng pere. 

Gloucetershire, sbo and nayle ; 

Brystowe, shippe and sayle. 

Oxenfbrdshire, gyrde the mare ; 

Warwykshire, bynde bere. 

London, resortere ; 

Sowtherey, gret bragere. 

Esex, ful of good hoswyfes ; 

Middlesex, ful of stryves. 

Kentshire, hoot as fire ; 

Sowseks, ful of dyrt and myre. 

Hertfordshire, ful of wode ; 

Huntyngdonshire, corn ful goode. 

Bedfordshire is nought to lakke ; 

Bokynghamshire is his maakke. 

Northamptonshire, ful of love, 

Benethe the gyrdyll and noth above. 

Lancastreshire, fayre archere ; 

Chestreshire, thwakkere. 

Northumbrelond, hasty and hoot ; 

Westmerlond, tprut Scotte. 

Yorkshire, ful of knyghtys ; 

Cambrygeshire, ful of pykes; 

Holond, ful of grete dykes. 

Northfolk, ful of wyles ; 

Southfulk, ful of styles. 

I am of Shropshire, my shines be sharpe, 

Ley wode to the fyre> and dresse me my harpe. 

Notynghamshire, ful of hogges ; 

Derbyshire, ful of dogges. 

Leycetershire, ful of benys ; 

Staffordshire, ful of quenys. 

Wilkshire, fayre and playne ; 

Barkshyre, fyll the wayne. 



ItEUClUI-'E ANTIQUE. 

Hampshire, dryc and wete; 
Somersetshire, good Tor whete. 
Devonshire, myghtyand strange; 
DarsHoshirc wil have no wronge. 
Pynnokshire is not to prayse, 
A man may go it in to dayes. 
Cornewayle, ful of tynne; 
Walys, full of goote and kene. 
That Lord that for us all dyde dye 
Save all these shires! Amen, say we. 



A SERMON AGAINST MIRACLE-PLAYS. 



From n MS. volume of Eufslisli Sermons, written at ihe latter ei 
fourteenth century, ami now preserved in Hie library of St. Martin Vi 
Fields, London. 

Here bigynnis a tretise of miracHs phyinge. 

Knowe $ee, Cristen men, that as Crist God and man is 1 
weye, trewth, and lif, as seith the gospel of Jon, weye t 
errynge, trewth totheunknowyng and doulyng, lif to the str 
to hevene and weryinge, so Crist dude nothinge to l 
effectuely in weye of mercy, in treuthe of ritwesncs, and i: 
of jildyng everlastynge joye for oure contumely morning, 
sorwynge in this valey of teeres. In myraclis therfore I 
Crist dude heere in orthe, outher in hymsilf outlier in 1 
seyntis, weren so efectuel and in ernest done, that to synful n 
that erren thei broujten forjyvcnesse of synne, settynge h 
in ihe weye of rijt heleve ; to doutouse men not stedefast, i 
broujten in kunnyng (o betere plesen God and verry hop 
God to been stedefast in hym ; and to the wery of the wey 
God, for the grette penaunce and suffrauncc of the trybuhu ' 
that men moten have therinne, thes broujlen in love of t 
nynge charite, to the whiche alie thing is lijt, and he to sul 
dethe, the whiche men most dreden, for the everlastynge lyf 
joye that men moste loven and disiren, of the whiche thing v 
hope putlith awey alle werinesse heere in the weye of i 
Thanne sythen myraclis of Crist and of hyso seyntis 1 
thus effectuel, as by oure bileve we ben in certeyn, no i 
shulde usen in bourde and pleye the myraclis and werkis tl 
Crist so ernystfully wroujte to cure helye ; for whoevere so d 
he errith in the byleve, reversith Crist, and scornytft God. 
errith in the bileve, for in that he takith the most pre 
werkis of God in pley and bourde, and so lakith his nai 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 43 

idil, and so mysusith oure bileve. A! Lord! sythen an erthely 
servaunt dar not taken in pley and in bourde that that her 
erthely lord takith in ernest, myche more we shulden not maken 
oure pleye and bourde of tho myraclis and werkis that God so 
ernestfully wroujt to us; for sothely whan we so done, drede to 
synne is taken awey, as a servaunt whan he bourdith with his 
mayster leesith his drede to offendyn hym, namely, whanne he 
bourdith with his mayster in that and that his mayster takith 
in ernest. And rijt as a nayl smyten in holdith two thingis to- 
gidere, so drede smyten to Godward holdith and susteyneth 
oure bileve to hym. Therefore rijt as pleyinge and bouraynge 
of the most ernestful werkis of God takith aweye the dreae of 
God that men shulden han in the same, so it takith awey oure 
bileve and so oure moste helpe of oure salvacioun. And sith 
takyng awey of oure bileve is more venjaunce takyng than 
sodeyn takyng awey of oure bodily lif; and whanne we taken 
in bourde and pley the most ernestful werkis of God, as ben 
hyse myraclis, God takith awey fro us his grace of mekenesse, 
drede, reverence, and of oure bileve ; thanne whanne we pleyin 
his myraclis as men don nowe on dayes, God takith more ven- 

1'aunce on us than a lord that sodaynly sleeth his servaunt for 
le pleyide to homely with hym; and ^t as that lord thanne in 
dede seith to his servaunt, "pley not with me, but pley with 
thi pere," so whanne we taken m pley and in bourde the my- 
raclis of God, he fro us takynge his grace seith more ernestfully 
to us than the forseid lord, "pley not with me, but pley with 
thi pere". Therefore siche myraclis pleyinge reversith Crist; 
firste, in takynge to pley that that he toke into most ernest ; 
the secound, in takyng to myraclis of oure fleysh, of oure lustus, 
and of oure fyve wittis, that that God tooc to the bryngyng in 
of his bitter deth, and to techyng of penaunse doynge, and to 
fleyinge of fedyng of oure wittis, and to mortifiyng of hem. 
And therfore it is that seyntis myche noten that of Cristis lawth- 
yng we reden never in Holy Writt, but of his myche pe- 
naunse, teris, and schedynge of blod, doyng us to witen therby 
that alle oure doyng heere shulde ben in penaunce, in disci- 
plynyng of oure fleyssh, and in penaunce of adversite, and 
therfore alle the werkis that we don and ben out of alle thes 
thre utturly reversen Cristis werkis, and therfore seith seynt 
Poul, " jatjif *ee been out of disciplyneof the whiche alle gode 
men ben maad perceveris, thanne avoutreris 3ee ben and not 
sones of God." And sith myraclis pleynge reversen penaunce 
doying, as thei in greet likyng ben don and to grete likyng ben 
cast biforn, there as penaunce is in gret mournyng of hert and 
to greet mournyng is ordeynyd biforne, it also reversith dis- 
aipline, for in verry discipline the verry voys of oure mayster 
Crist is herd, as a stcoler herith the vois of his mayster; and the 



■II 



HELTQU1.E ANTIQUE. 



werd of God in the bond of Crist isseyn, in the whiche 
oure othere thre wittis Tor drede tremblyn and quaken as a 
cliilde trerublith seyng the jerde of hismayster; and the thridde 
in veny discipline is verry turnyng awey and forjetyng if alle 
tho thingis that Crist hatith and turnyde hymsillawi <, 
as a chi[l]de undo? dissiphne of hismayster tuniith h\ n 
fro alle thingis that his mayster hath forbedun hym, and forjciith 
hem for the greet mynde that he hath to done his maystris wjlte. 
And for thes tbre writith seynt Petur seyinge, "Be jec 
undur the my^ty hond of God, that he henhaunce yon 
tyme of visityng all }0ure bisinesse throwynge in hym". Thai 
is; be jee mekid, that is to Crist, herynge his voyce, by verrv 
obeschaunce to his hestis; and undur the my <$ty hond of God, 
seeing evere more bis jird to chastisen us in his bond jif wee 
waxen wantown or idil, bethenkyng us, seith seynt Pel 
"hydous and ferful it is to fallen into the hondis of God on 
ly ve ;" for ritt as most joye it is to steyen up into the bond of 
the mercy or God, so it is most hydous and ferful to fallen itiiu 
the liondis of the wrathc of God. Therfore mekely >i 
hym lieere evere more seynge and theiikynge his jerde overe 
oure hevyd, and thannc he shal enhauncyn us eliiswhere iu 
tyme of bis graceous visityng. So thatalle oure bysini 
throwyn in hym, that is, that alle othere erthely werkis we 
don, not bitt to don his gostly werkis, more frely and spedely 
and more plesauntly to hym tristyng, that to hym is en 
us, that is, gif we don to hym that that is in oure power he 
schal mervelously don to us that that is in his power, bothe in 
delyveryng us fro alle perilis and in jyvyng us graciously ;il 
that us nedith or willen axen of hym ; and sythen no man may 
serves two lordis togydere, as seith Crist in his gospel, no man 
may heren at onys ofectuely liie voyce of oure mayster Crisi 
and of his owne lustis. Ami sythen myrachs pleyinge is of 
the lustis of the fleyssh and myrtheoftbe body, no m 
efectuely heeren hem and the voyce of Crist at onys, 
voyce of Crist and the voyce of the fleysh ben of two contra- 
riouS lordis; and so mymelis pleviig rcversitli discipline, for as 
seith Seynt Poul, "cche for so the discipline in the tyme that 
is now is not a joye but a niournynge". Also sithen it makitli 
lo se veyne sijtis of degyse, arayof men and wymmen 
continaunse, eylher siiryng othere to lctcherie and of debatis, as 
aftir most bodily myrthe coinen moste delmtis, ns siri. 
more undisposilh a man to pacieticie and ablith to 
and to othere vicis, wherforeit sulTrilh not a man to be hold«n 
cntcrly the jerde of God over his heved, but makith 
ken on alle si cue thingis that Crist by the dedis of his pas- 
61011 badde us to forjeten. Wherefore siehe myraclis ) 
bothe in petiauncc doyng, in verry discipline, and in patience. 



RELIQULE ANTIQUE. 45 

reversynCristis hestisand hisdedis. Also, siche myraclis pleying 
is scornyng of God, for rijt as ernestful levyng of that that God 
biddith is dispising of God, as dide Pharao, so bourdfully ta- 
kyng Goddis biddynge or wordis or werkis is scornyng of hym, 
as dyden the Jewis that bobbiden Crist: Thanne sythen thes 
myraclis pleyens taken in bourde the ernestful werkis of God, 
no doute that thei ne scornen God, as didden the Jewis that 
bobbiden Crist, for thei lowen at his passioun as these lowyn 
and japen of the myraclis of God. Therfore as thei scorneden 
Crist, so theese scorne God, and rijt as Pharao wrooth to do 
that that God bad hym dispiside God, so these myraclis pley- 
ens and mayntenours, leevynge plesingly to do that God biddith 
hem, scornen God. He forsothe hath beden us alle to halowyn 
his name, syvyng drede and reverence in alle mynde of his 
werkis, witnoute ony pleyng or japynge, as al holynesse is in ful 
ernest men, thanne pleyinge the name of Goddis miraclis, as 
plesyngly thei leeve to do that God biddith hem, so thei scornen 
his name and so scornyn hym. 

But here ajen is thei seyen that thei pleyen these myraclis 
in the worscnip of God, and so dyden not these Jewis that 
bobbiden Crist. Also, ofte sithis by siche myraclis pleyinge 
ben men convertid to gode lyvynge, as men and wymmen 
seyng in myraclis pleyinge that the devil by ther aray, by 
the which thei moven eche on othere to leccherie and to pride, 
makith hem his servauntis to bryngen hemsilf and many othere 
to helle, and to han fer more vylenye herafter by ther proude 
aray heere than thei han worschipe heere, and seeynge fer- 
thermore that al this wordly beyng heere is but vanite for a 
while, as is myraclis pleying, wherthoru thei leeven ther 
pride and^aken to hem afterward the meke conversacioun of 
Crist and of his seyntis, and so myraclis pleyinge turneth men 
to the bileve, and not pervertith. Also, ofte sythis by siche my- 
raclis pleyinge men and wymmen, seynge the passioun of Crist 
and of hise seyntis, ben movyd to compassion and devociun, 
wepynge bitere teris, thanne thei ben not scornynge of God but 
worschipyng. Also, prophi table to men and to the worschipe of 
God it is to fulfillun and sechen alle the menes by the whiche 
men mowen seene synne and drawen hem to vertues; and sythen 
as ther ben men tnat only by ernestful doynge wylen be con- 
vertid to God, so ther been othere men that wylen be convertid 
to God but by gamen and pley ; and now on dayes men ben not 
convertid by the ernestful doyng of God ne of men, thanne now 
it is tyme and skilful to assayen to convertyn the puple by 
pley and gamen, as by myraclis pleyinge and other maner 
myrthis. Also, summe recreatioun men moten han, and bettere 
it is or lesse y vele that thei han theyre recreacoun by pleyinge 



46 



REUQUI.E ANTIQUE. 



of myraclis than bi pleyinge of other japis. Also, sitheit it m 
leveful to han the myraclis of God peyntid, why is aot 
leveful to han the myraclis of God pleyed, sythen men 
bettere reden the wille of God and his mervelous werk 
pleyinge of hem than in the peyntynge, and bet ere ; 
liulden in mennus mynde and oftere rehersid by the | 
of hem than by the peyntynge, for this is a deed bok, Lh 
a qu[i]ck. 

To the first reson we answeryng seying that siche 1 1 . 
pleyinge is not to the worschipe of God, for thei ! 
more to ben seen of the world and to plesyn to C_T i ■ 
thanne to ben seen of God or to plesyn to hym; as Cn 
ensaumplide hem but onely hethene men that everemore di»- 
honouren God, seyinge that to the worschipe of God. 
to the most velenye of hym ; therfore as the wickidnesse of tin; 
mis bile ve of hethene men lyith to themsilf whanne th 
that the worshipyng of theire maumetrie is to the worsi 
God, so mennnus lechery e now on dayes to han ther owne 
lustus lieth to hemself, whanne thei seyn that sucbe miracles 
pleiyng is to the worschip of God, For Crist seith that folk of 
avoutrie sechen siche syngnys, as a lecchour sechith signesof 
verrey love, but no dedis of verrey love ; so sithen thise myra- 
clis pleyinge ben onely syngnis of love withoute dedis, thei ben 
not onely contrarious to the worschipe of God, that is bothe a 
signe and in dede, but also thei ben gynnys of the di 
cacehen men to by 1 eve of Anti-Crist, as wordis of love ■■ 
verrey dede ben gynnys of the lecchour to cacehen felawchipe 
to fulfillynge of his leccherie. Bothe for these myraclis p 
been verrey leesyng, as thei ben sygnis withoute dede, and for 
thei been verrey idilnesse, as thei taken the myraclis of God in 
idil after their owne lust, and certis idilnesse and leesyng been 
the most gynnys of the dy vul to drawen men to the byleve of 
Anti-Crist, and therfore to pristis it is uttirly forbedyn at 
lo been myracle pleyere but also to heren or to seen m 
pleyinge, lest he that shulde been the gynne of God to c 
men and to bolden men in the bdeve of Crist, thei ben maad 
aienward by ypocrisie the gyn of the devel to cacehen 
the bileve of Anti-Crist. Therfore rijt as a man swt r 
ydil by the names of God, and seyinge that in that hi 
schipitli God and dispisith the devyl, verryly lyinge doth the 
reverse, so myraclis pleyers, as thei ben doers oYyailnes 
inge that thei don it to the worschip of God, verreyly lyyn ; for 
as seith the gospel, " not he that seith. Lord ! Lord ! scl i 
to bbsse of heven, but he that doth the wille of the fadir of 
EtevenescbaJ come to hiskyndam"; so myche more uol 
uli the wille of God worschipith hym, but onely ' 



RELIQUI.F. ANTHJV.I':. 



17 



oitli his wille in deede worschipith hym. Rijt therfore as men 
*iy feynyd tokenes bygilen and in dede dispisen ther neyjboris, 
o by siche feynyd myraclis men bygylen hemsilf and dispisen 
Jod, as the tormeutours (hat bobbiden Crist. 

And as ancnlis the second reson, we seyen that rijt as a 
■ertuous deede is otherewhiie occasioun of yvel, as was the 
lassioun of Crist to the Jewis, bat not occasioun jyven but 
aJten of hem, so yvele dedis ben occasioun of gode dedis 
otherewhiie, as was ihesynne of Adam occasioun of the comyng 
of Crist, but not occasion jyven of the synne, but occasion 
akin of the grete mercy of God, the same wise myraclis pley- 
nge, albeit that it be synne, is othere while occasion of conver- 
yng of men, but as it is synne it is fer more occasion of pervert- 
Tig of men, not onely of oon synguler persone but an hool 
comynte, as it makith al a puple to ben ocupied in veyn ajenus 
this heeste of the Psauter Book, that seith to alle men and 
namely to pristis that eche day reden itin ther servyse, "Turne 
y myn cyen that thei se not vanytees," and cfte, " Lord, 
hatislde alle waytynge vanytees." How thanne may a 
uist jjleyn in entirlodies, or jyve hymsilf to the sijt of hem! 
ythen it is forbeden hym so expresse by the forseyde heste of 
""^ ; namely, sythen he cursith eche day in his service alle tho 
bowen awey fro the hestis of God ; but alas ! more harme 
is now on dayes most shrewyn hemsilf and al day, as 
lhat alday crieth "watte, shrewe!"shrewynge hymsilf. 
berlore myraclis pleyinge, sythen it is ajenus the heest of 
jod, that biddith that thou shalt not take Goddis name in ydil, 
Mius oure bileve, and so it may not 3yven occacioun of 
urnynge men to the bileve but of pervertyng; and therfore 
many men wenen that ther is no lielle of evcrlastynge peyne, 
God doth but thretith us and not to do it in dede, as 
. mge of miraclis in sygne and not in dede. Therfore 
iche myraclis pleying not onely pervertilh oure bileve but oure 
errey hope in God, by the whiche seyntis hopiden that the more 
neden bem fro siche pleyes, the more mede thei slmld 

■ "I'God; and therfore the holy Sara, the doujterof Ra- 
joel, hopynge beic mede of God, seith, " Lord, thou woost that 

icvere y coveytide man, and clene y have kept myselfe fro all 

usti*, neverc with pleyeris y-myugid me mysilie;" and by 

confessioun to God, as she hopide, so sche hadde lnr 

herd and grete mede of God; and sythen a 3onge 

■ i >i" the OldeTestamenl, for kepyng of bir bodily vertue 
stite and for to worthily take the sacrament of matri- 

11 liaiuie hir tymo shutde come, abstenyde hir fro al 

'M [ileying and fro alcumpnny of ldil pleyeris; mychen 

B Jin-! of the Newe Testament, that is passid the tyme of 



'IS 



REI.IQUI.E ANTIQUE. 



childchod, and that not onely shiiidc liepe chastity but alle 
othere vertues, ne onely mynystivn the sacrament of inn trim j- 
nye but alle othere sacra mentis, and namely sythen hym owith 
to mynystre to alle the puplc the precious l)ody of Cn ■■ : 
to abstene hym fro al ydil pleying bothe of myraclv- ; 
Forccrtis sythen the quen of Saba, as seith Crist in the ' 
schal dam pne the Jewis that wolden not resey ve the wisdom nf 
Crist, myche more this holy womman Sara at the day 
schai dampnen the pristis of the Newe Testament thai lyris 
hem topleyes, reversen her holymaners aprovyd by God and 
al holy chirche; therfore sore au3ten pristis to be aschamyd that 
reversen this gode holy womman and the precious bod v 
that tbei treytyn in ther hondis, the whiche body nevi'i : 
to pley but to alle siche thing as is most contrarious to pley, 49 
is penauneo and suffryng of persecution. And so thes myraclis 
pleyinge not onely reversilh feith and hope, but verry c 
by the whiche a man shulde weylen for his oivne sy i 
for his neyeburs, and namely pristis; for it. withdraw 
onely oo n persone but alle the puple fro dedis of char 
of penaunce into dedis of lustis and lik thingis, and of fedyng 
of houre wittis. So thanne thes men that seyen " pley we a 
pley of Anti-Crist and of the day of dome, that sum man may 
be convertid therby," fallen into the heresie of hem ll 
versyng the apost.eyl and seyden, " do we yvel thingis tliat ther 
comyn gode thingis," of whom, as seith the aposteyl, diin 
is ri3twise. 

By this we answeren to the thridde resoun, seying 
siche myraclis pleyinge $yveth noon occcasioun of verrey 
wepynge and nedeful, but the wepyng that fallith to men and 
wymmen by the sijte of siche myraclis pleyinge, as th 
not principaly for theire oune synnes ne of theire gode fr-lili 
withinne sorye, but more of theire sijt withoute. Sorv 
alowable byfore God, but more reprowable ; for sythen 
hymsilf reprovyde the wymmen that wepten upon hym in Ins 
passioun, myche more thei ben reprovabte that wepen 
pley of Cristis passioun, lcevynge to wepen for the sj i 
hemsilf and of theire chyldren, as Crist bad the wymmen that 
wepten on hym. 

And by this we answeren to the furthe resen, 
that no man may be convertid to God but onely by the i 
ful doyinge ofGod.and by noon veyn ploying; for thai I 
word of God worcliilhnot, ne !u= sac ram cutis, how shuld 
inge worchen, tbat is of no vertue but ful of defaute. T 
njl us i lie wepyng that men wepen ofte in siche pley coi 
is fals, witnessenge that thei iovyn more the lykyng of theire 
body and of prosperity of the world than Iykynge in God and 



RELIQUIiE ANTIQUE. 49 

prosperite of vertu in the soale, and therfore havyng more com- 
passion of peyne than of synne, thei falsly wepyn for lakkynge 
of bodily prosperite more than for lakkyng of gostly, as don 
dampnyd men in helle; rijt so ofte sythis the convertynge that 
men semen to ben convertid by siche pleyinge is but teynyd 
holynesse, worse than is othere synne biforehande. For jif he 
were werryly convertid, he shulde haten to seen alle siche van- 
yt6 as biddith the hestis of God, al be it that of siche pley he 
take occasion by the grace of God to fle synne and to folowe 
vertu. And jif men seyn heere that, jif this pleyinge of myraclis 
were synne, while God converten men by the occasion of siche 
pleyinge 1 heereto we seyen that God doith so for to comenden 
his mersy to us, that we thenken enterly hou good God is to us, 
that whu we ben thenkynge ajenus hyin, doynge idilnesse and 
with-seyinge hym, he thenkith upon us good and sendynge us 
his grace to fleen alle siche vanyte; and for ther shulde nothinge 
be more swete to us than siche maner merci of God, the Psauter 
Book clepith that mercy blessynge of swetnesse, where he seith 
"Thou cam biforehymin blessynges of swetnesse," the whiche 
swetnesse, al be it that it be likynge to the spirit, it is while 
we ben here, and ful travelous to the body whan it is verry; 
as the flesche and the spirit ben contrarious, therfore this 
swetnesse in God wil not been verely had while a man is 
ocuped in seynge of pley is. Therefore the pristis that seyn 
hemsilf holy, and bysien hem aboute siche pleyis, ben verry 
ypocritis and lyeris ; and herby we answeren to the fifte resone, 
seyinge, that verry recreation is leeveful ocupiynge in false 
werkis to more ardently worschen grettere werkis, and therefore 
siche myraclis pleyinge ne the sijte of hem is no verrey recre- 
asion, but fals and wordly, as provyn the dedis of the fautours 
of siche pleyis, that jit nevere tastiden verely swetnesse in 
God, traveylynge so myche therinne that their body wolde not 
sofisen to beren siche a traveyle of the spirite ; but as man 
goith fro vertue in virtue, so thei gon fro lust into lust, that thei 
more stedefastly dwellen in hem, and therefore as this feynyd 
recreacioun of pleyinge of myraclis is fals conceite, so it is 
double shrewidnesse, worse than thouth thei pleyiden pure 
vaniteis. For now the puple 3y veth credence to many mengid 
leesyngis, for other mengid trewthis, and maken wenen to be 
gode that is ful y vel ; and so ofte-sithis lasse y vele it were to 
pleyin rebaudye, than to pleyin siche myriclis. And jif men 
azen what recreacion men shulden have on the haliday after 
theire holy contemplacioun in the chirche, we seyen to hem 
two thingis, oon, that $\f he hadde veryly ocupiede hym in 
contemplacioun byforn, neyther he wolde aske that question ne 
han will to se vaoyt£ ; anothere, we seyn that his recreacioun 

VOL. II. H 



so 



LIQUI.E -tNTlQVJs 

Ids of r 



) his ] 



shulde ben in thi? werkis ol mercy 
dilityng hym in alle good comunicacioun 
as biforn he dilited hym in God, and in alle othere 
werkis that reson antl kynde axen. And to the last reson we 
sevii, that peinturo jifit be verry withoute mengyng of 1 
and not to curious lo niyclie fedynge men 11 us wittis and nol 
1 of manmetrie to the puple, thei hen but as nakyd lettfiS 
tn a clerk toriden thetreuthe; but so ben not myraclis ]■■ 
that ben made more to deliten men bodily than to ben ! 
lewid men, and therefore jif thei ben quike bookis, thei ben 
quike bookis to schrewidenesse more than to godenesse. Gode 
men therefore seinge ther tyme to schort to ocupyen hem in gode 
ernest werkis, and seinge the day of the rekenyngi 
faste, and unknowyng whan lliei schal go hennys, fleeu alls 
siche ydilnessis, hyinge lhat thei weren with her spouse Crist 
in the bli^e of Hevene. 

An half fry rule tariere to soule hellhe, redy to excuaen tlie 
yvil and hard of bileve, with Thomas of Ynde, seith, 
wil not leevyn the forseyd sentence of myraclis pleyin 
and men schewen It hym bi holy writt opynly ami I 
bileve. Wherfore that his half frenschip maybe tui 
the hoole, we prey en hym to beholden first in the second* 
maundement of God that seith "Thou sennit not take Goddis 
name in idil;" and sythen the mervelous werkis of God Wn 
his name, as the gode werkis of craftesman been his name, than 
in this hest of God is forbeden to takun the mervclousi 
of God in idil ; and how mowen thei be more takyn in idil than 
whanne thei ben maad mennus japyuge. stikke, as when thei 
ben pleyidof japerisl And sythen emestly God dyde hem 
to us, so take we liem of hym ; ellis fosothe we taken hem in 
veyn, Loke thanne, frend, ;if thi byleve teliith that God dide 
his myraclis to us for we shulden pleyn liem, and yn trowe it 
seith to the, " nay, but for thou schuldist more dredyn hym 
and lovyn hym," and certis greet drede and gret effected 
foove suffrilh no pleyinge nor japyng with hym. Thanu* 
sythen myraclis pleyinge revcrsilh the wille of God, . 
e'nde for the which be wroujt myraclis to us, no doute but thai 
myraclis pleyinge is verre takyng of Goddis name in ydiL 
And jif this suffisith not to thee, albeit that it shulde suffisen 
to an hethene man, that therefore wil not pley in the werkis of 
his mawuiete, I preye thee rede enterly in the bonk ol 
is Crist Jhesus, and if thou niayst fynden in hym that 
exsaumplide lhat men shulden pleye myraclis, but alwey the 
revere, mid oure byleve cursith that ladden or lassen over that 
Crist exsaumplide us to don. Hon thanne darst thou hoMnn 
with myraclis pleyinge, sythen alle the werkis of Crist 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUES. 51 

revgrsiden hem, and in none of his werkis thei ben groundyd ! 
namely, sythen thou seyst thiselven that thou wolt nothing 
leven but that may be schewid of oure bileve, and sythen in 
thing that is acordyng with the flessh and to the likyng of it, 
as is myraclis pleyinge, thou wilt nothing don ajenus it, but 
jif it be schewid of oure bileve; myche more in thing 
that is with the spirit, and alwey exsawmplid in the lif of 
Christ, and so fully writen in the booke of lif, as is levyng 
of myraclis pleyinge and of alle japyng, thou shuldest not 
holden ajenys it, but if it myjte ben schewid ajens the bileve, 
sythen in al thyng that is dowtous men shulden holden with 
the partye that is more favowrable to the spirit, and more ex- 
sawmpplidin the lif of Christ; and so as eche synne distruyith 
hymsilf, and eche falshed, so thi answere distruyith hymsilfe, 
and therby thou mayst wel witen that it is not trewe, but verr6 
unkyndenesse ; for if thou haddist hadde a fadir that hadde 
sufired a dispitouse deth to geten thee thyn heritage, and thou 
therafter woldest so h^tly bern it to make therof a pley to the 
and to alle the puple, no dowte but that alle gode men wolden 
demyen the unkynde, miche more God and alle his seyntis 
demyen alle tho cristen men unkynde that pleyen or favouren 
the pley of the deth or of the myracles of the most kynde fadir 
Crist, that dyede and wrouste myraclis to bryngen men to the 
evere-lastande heretage of nevene. 

But peraventure heere thou seist, that if pleyinge of myraclis 
be synnen, never the latere it is but litil synne. But herefore, 
dere fxend, knowe jee that eche synne, be it never so litil, if it be 
mayntenyd and prechid as gode and profitable, is deadely synne; 
and therefore seith the prophite, " Wo to hem that seien gode, 
yvel, and y vel, good !" and therfore the wyse man dampeneth hem 
that gladen whan thei don yvel ; and therfore alle seyntis seyen, 
that mannysche it is to fallen, but develiche it is to abyden sty lie 
therinne. Therfore, sithen thes myraclis pleyinge is synne, as 
thou knowlechist, and is stedefastly meyntenyd, and also men 
deliten hem therinne, no dowte but that it is deadly synne, and 
dampnable, develiche not mannysch. Lord, sythen Adam and 
Eve and aJ mankynde weren dampnyd out of paradise, not 
onely for etyng of the appul, but more for the excusyng therof, 
mycne more pleyinge of myraclis not onely excusid but stede- 
fastly meyntenyd is dampnable and deadly, namely sythen it 
not onely pervertith oon man but al a puple, that thei seien 
good, yvel, and yvel, gode. And if this wil not suffise thee, 
•albeit that it shulde suffisen to eche Cristen man, that nothing 
schulde done oute of the techynge that Crist taujte, tachide to 
the dedis that God hath done, of whiche we reden that at the 
iiddyng of God, for Israael pleyide with his brother Isaac, 



6S 



RELIO.UI.B ANT1QU.K. 



baths [smael and his modir weren throwen out of the h 
Abraham, of the whiche the cause was for hi siche pie 
Ismael, that was the sone of the servant, myjte ban h 
Isaac of his heretage, that was the sone of the fre < 
Abraham. Another cause was sythen Ismael was borr 
the fleysh, and Isaac after the spirit, as seitb the apostel 
exsaumplen that ploy of the lleysh is not covenable ne be 
to the spirit, but to the bynymmynge of the spiritus here 
And the tbridde cause was to fsguren, that the olde tes 

that is testament of the fleysh, may not ben bolden v 

newe testament, that is testament of the spirit; and jif i 
booly kept with tbe testament of the spirit, it doith away t 
fiedom, and bynymmeth the heretage of hevene. Tbj 
sythen the pley of Ismael was not leveful with Isaac, ] 
more fleysly pley is not leveful with the gostly werkis o 
and of his seyntis, as ben hise myraclis to converten r 
the bileve, bothe for fer more distaunce of contrarite is b: 
fleyshly pley and the ernestful dedis of Crist than bitwet 
pley of Ismael and Isaac, and also for the pley bit 
Ismael and Isaac was figure of the pley bitwene the fl 
and the spirit. Therefore, as two thingis most contn 
mowen not pleyn togidere withouten hurtyng of eitb> 
experienstechith, and most that parly schal hurtyn that i; 
meyntenyd, and that partie schal be most hurt that is 
meyntenyd ; than pleyinge that is fleschely with the we ' 
the spirit, is to harmynge of ever either, and most scl 
fleysh hurtyn the spirit, as in suche pleyinge the fleysh i: 
meytenyd and the spirile lasse. And as in good thing 
figuride is evermore bettere than that that is figure, so ii 
thingis that that is figurid is fer werse than the figure ; tl 
sythen the pleyinge of Ismael with Isaac is figure of the p" 
inge of the fleysh with the spirit, and the ton is yvel, 1" 
fer werse is the tother. Than pleyinge with the myra 
God disservith more venjaunce, and more synne is, thi 
servyde the pleyinge of Ismael with Isaac, and lasse yvel » 
8nd as felawchip of a thral with his lord makilh his lor* 
pisid, so myclic more pleyinge with the myraclis of God n 
hem dispisitb, aythen pleyinge to comparisounof the merv 
werkis of God is fer more cherl than ony man may hen c 
a lord ; and therefore the pleyinge of Ismael, that was th 
of the servant, with Isaac, that was the sone of the fre woi 
was justly reprovyd, and bothe the damme and the boi . 
out of his cumpaoye ; myche more mennus pley with the n 
velouse werkis of God is reprovable, and worthi to ben p 
of ther cumpanye. And therfore, as seilh (he apostel, a 
is no godecommy ng betwene the develis instrument to pen 



RELIQUI.K ANTIQUE. 63 

pleying of the fleysh, and goddis instrewment to con- 
men, as be Ills mervclous werkis, therefore, as this is a 
'esynge to seyen that for the love of God lie wil ben a 
felowe with the devil, so it is a werry lesyng to seyen that 
the love of God he wil pleyen his myraclis : for in neyther 
is the love of God schewid, but his hestis to-brokun. And 
sythen the serymonyes of the olde lawe, albeit that thei weren 
^iven by God, for thei weren fleyshly, thei shulden not be holde 
with the newe testament, for it is gostly ; myche more pleyinge 
for it is fleysly, never bedyn of God, shulde not ben don with 
Ihe mcrvelouse werkis of God, for thei ben gostly ; for as the 
pleyinge of Ismael with Isaac shulde han bynomyn Isaac his 
Iieretage, so in the kepyng of the seremonyes of the olde lawe 
in the newe testament shulde han bynomen ther bileve in 

■ ■I han made men to gonbacward, that is to seic, fro the 
• vyng of the newe testament to the fleyshly lyvyng of 
testament, Myche more pleyinge of myraclis be- 
nemeth men ther bileve in Crist, and verre goynge bacward fro 
dedis of the spirit to onely syngnesdon after lustis of the fleysh, 
that ben ajenus alle the deedis of Crist, and so myraclis pley- 
inge is verre apostasye fro Crist, and therfore we schal nevere 
fyndyn that myraclis pleying was usid among Cristene men ; 
but sythen religious onely in tokenes shew id en ther religioun, 
and not in dedis, and sythen pristis onely in syngnes and for 
money schewiden ther pristhodc, and not in dedis, and therfore 
the apostasye of these drawith myche of the puple after hem, 
as the apostasyie of Lucifer the first aungel droowj myche of 
hevene after nym. 

And if this, ['rend, wil not Buffisen to thee, that the eyjen of 
the blynd pite takun sijte, take hede how the pleyinge of two 
contrari partis tngidere, as of the pleyinge of the childre of Abner 
and of the childre of Joab, weren thre hundrid men and sixii 
sleyn, and mo out of doute, myche more harm doth pleyinge of 
goslly werkis, after lustus of the fleysh, as thei ben more ene- 
myes; for it is of myraclis pleyinge as it is of thes apostates 
that prechen for boddy avauntage; for ri^t as thes han bodily 
avaimlage at more pris than the word of God, as thei maken 
the word of God but a mene to (her avauntage, so these myracle 
pleyeris and the fawtours of hem ben verre apostaas, hothe for 
thei puttun God bihynde and ther owne lustis biforn, as thei 
bun mynde of God onely for sake of ther pley, and also for 
thei delitenhem more in the pley than in the myraclis silf, as 
an apostata more delitith hym in his bodily wynnyng than in 

I lie of God, and more preysith seemelv fhingis withoute 
forth than ony fayrnesse withinne forth to God-ward. And 
herlore it is, 1 lint siche myraclis pleyinge thretith myebe the 



54 RELlQm.fi ANTIO.U.E. 

maunse of God; for rijt as a jelous man seeynge his 
conapun with his kyndnessis, and to lovynby hem another man 
more than hym, abidith notlonge to don variannse tocha; 
of hyr, so sithe God is more jelous over his puple, as 
lovyth it, than ony man ia jelous upon his wif, he seeynge the 
kyndnessis of his myraclis put byhynde, and meniv. 
beforn, and so ments wil to ben more lovyd than Iii 
willc, no wondir thoi' he sendc sone venjaunse therafter ; as he 
moot nede, for his gret ri^twessnesse and mersy ; and therefore 
it is that the wise man seith, " The ende of myrthis is sorowe, 
and ofte joure law3yng shal be medelid with sorowe. Am! 
therfore, as experience proveth, ever sithen rcgnyde siche 
maner apostate in the puple, seside never the venjaunce of God 
upon us, outlier of pestilence, oulher of debate, outlier . 
other of derlhe, and of many othere, and commely whan men 
he most unskilfuly merye. sone after fallith sorowe. Therfore 
siche myraclis pleyinge now on dayes witnessith thro, thing!*, 
first, is grete synne byforne the, second, it witnessith grete 
foly in the doinge, and the thridde greet venjaunse al 
rijt as the cbyldren of Israel, whan Moyses was in 
bisily preyinge for hem, thei mystristyng to hym, hoi 
a caif of gold, and afterward eetyn and drinken and risen to 
pleyn, and afterward weren sleyn of hem thre and twenty 
thowsend of men; so thanne as this pleyinge wittnesside the 
synne of ther maumetrie beforn, and her roystrystto Moyses 
whanne thei shulde most ban tristenede to hym, and afl 
foly in ther pleyinge, and the thridde tbe veojaunse that cam 
after; so this myraclis pleyinge is verre witnes.se of 
averice and covey tise by fore, that is maumetrie, as seith the 
apostele, for that that thei shulden spendyn upon the nedis of 
ther nejehoris, thei spenden upon the pleyis, and to pe; 
rente and ther dette thei wolen grucche, and to spende two so 
iriyche upon tbeT pley thei wolen nothinge grucche. 
gidcren men togidere to bien the derre ther vetailis, and to 
stiren men to glotonye, and to pride and boost, thei pleyn tha 
myraclis, and also to ban wherof lo spenden on these mvradi-, 
and to holde ielawschipe of gtotenye and lecherie in sich dayes 
of myraclis pleyinge, thei bisien hem beforn to more 
bygilen ther nejbors, in byinge and in sellyng; and so thu 
pleyinge of myraclis now on dayes is werre witnesse of hideous 
ceveytise, that is maumetrie. And rijt as Moyses n 
tyme in the hi! most travclynge aboute the puple, so 
Crist in hevene with his fader most bis ily preyinge for the 
puple; and never the latere as the chlyndren (*'<)of [sra. 
that tyme dial, in hum was, in ther pleyinge of ther m;i ■ 
most i'olily to distrojen the grete travele of Moyses, so i 




KELUjUl.E ANTiqU.K. 

i, after ther hidouse maumetree of covetyse in 

syinge of myraclis, thei don that in hem is to distroje 

fotiva preyere of Crist in hevene for hem, and so ther 

pleyinge witnessith ther most folye in ther doynge, 

■fore as unkvndely seiden to Aaron the children of 

ses bemge in the hil, " we witen never how it is of 

make us theribre Goddis that gon biforn us," so un- 



seyen men noive < 






' Crist doth n 



j no my- 



raclis lor us, pley we therfore hisolde," addyng many lesynges 
therto so coknvrably that the puple jife as myche credense to 
" the trwthe.and so thei for jeten to benpercever of the 
preyere of Crist, for the maumetrye that men don to siche 
myraclis pleyinge ; maumetrye, I seye, for siclie pleyinge men 
as myche honoryn or more than the word of God whanne it is 
prechid, and therefore blasfemely thei seyen, that siche pley- 
inge doith more good than the word of God wanne it is prechid 
to the puple. A! Lord! what more blasfeme is ajenus thee, 
than to seyen to don the byddyng, as is to prechen the word of 
God doth fer lasse good than to don that that is bodyn onely 
by man and not by God, as is myraclis pleying 1 Ritforsothe, 
as the lyknesse of myraclis we clepen myraclis, ri jt so the 
golden callc the children of Israel clepiden it God ; in the whiche 
thei hadden mynde of the olde mrraclis of God beforn, and for 
that licnesse thei worschipiden and preyseden, as thei worschip- 
I presiden God in the dede of his myraclis to hem, and 
therefore thei diden expresse maumetrye. So sythen now on 
daies myche of the puple worschipith and preysith onely the 
licnesse of the myraclis of God, as myche as the worde of God 
in the prechours mowth by the whiche alle myraclis be don, no 
dowle that ne the puple dolh more mawmetrie now in siche 
myraclis pleyinge than dide the puple of Israel that tyme in 
heryinge of the calf, in as myche as the lesynges and lustus of 
myraclis pleyinge that men worschipen in hem is more con- 
trarious to God, and more acordynge with the devil, than was 
that golden calf that the puple worschipid. And therefore 
the maumetrye that tyme was but figure and licknesse of 
roeniiiis maumetrye nowe, and therfore seith (he apostel, asse 
thes thingis in figure fellen to hem, and therefore in siche my- 
raclis pleyinge the devel is most plesid, as the dyvel is best 
payid to disceyve men in the licnesse of that thing in whiche 
by God man weren convertid biforhond, and in whiche the 
as tenyd byfornhond. Therfore oute of doute siche 
myraclis pleying pretith myche more venjaunce than dide the 
pleyinge of the chyldren of Israel, after the heriynge of the 
calf, as this pleyinge settith hut japes gretlere and more ben- 
if God. 



56" RELiO.Ul.fc AWTIIJUJi. 

A! Lord !' sythen chy Id res pleyinge witnessith tin 
synnes before hem, and ther owne oryginal synnes befori., 
and ther owne defaute of wisdam, whanne thei p ley en, ami 
ther chastisyn afterward schal more greve hem, bo 
more this myraclis pleyinge witnessith mennys hydous 
beforn hand, and the for-jetyng of ther mayster Crist, i 
owne folye, and the folye of malyce passyngethe folye of chvl- 
dre, and that ther is grete venjaunce to coniyu to hem more 
than thei shul mowen paciently boren, for the grei'. 
that thei ban in ther pley. But, frend, peravenlure ;■ 
that no man schal make jou to byleven but that it is good to 
pleyen the passion of Crist, and othere dedis of hym. But 
here ajentis herith, how whanne Helyse stejede up into Bethel, 
chyldre pleyingly comyng ajenus hym, seiden, " steje up, bal- 
lard, steje up, ballard;" and therfore hee cursid hem, and two 
bores of the wylde wode al to-toren of hem, two and fourty 
childre; and as alle seyntis seyen the ballednesse of Helisee 
betokeneth tiie passion of Crist, thaime sythen by his starve 
is opyniy sciiewid that men schulden not bourden with tie 
figure of the passion of Crist, ne with an holy p raphe te 
myche more in the newe testament, and whanne men 
be more wis, fethere from aile maner pleyinge and ernestful 
dedis more comaundid, now than that tyme, and the passion of 
Crist more shuld ben in drede than that tyme schulde 
HcJisee, men shulden not pleyn the passion of Crist, upon 
peyne myche grettere than was the venjaunce of the childre 
that scornyden Helisee. For siker pleyinge of the pa 
Crist is but verre sc.ornyng of Crist, as it is seid beforn 
fore, dere frend, beholdith how kynde tellit.h that the more 
eldere a man waxith the more it is ajen kynde hym for ti 
and therfore seilh the booc " cursid be the cluide of han hundred 
jeer !" And certis the world, as seith the apostil, is now at 
his endyng, as in his laste age ; therfore for the grete nejynff 
of the day of dome, alle creaturis of God nowe weryen and 
wrathen of mennus pleying, namely of myraclis pleyinge, thai 
most schuln be schewid in ernest and into venjaunce at the day 
of dome ; therfore ajen kynde of alle creaturis it is now my- 
raclis pleyinge, and therfore God now on dayes sendith som 
wisdam to children than herbyforn, for thei schulden now oa 
dayees leven pleyinge, and jyven hem more to ernestful werkit, 
pleasaunt to God. Also, frend, lake hede what Crisl 
the gospelle, that " rijt as it was in the daies of Noye ujenu* 
the greet flood, men weren etynge and drynkynge and tlief 
hkyngis takynges takyng, and feerely cam the venjaunce of 
(jtod of the grete node upon hem ; so it schalle ben of the 
comyng of Crist to the day of dome," that whanne i 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 57 

hem most to ther pleyinge and myrthis, ferely schal come the 
day of dome upon hem with greet venjaunce beforn. Therefore 
oute of dowte, frynd, this myracle pleyinge that is now usid is 
but trewe thretyng of sodeyn venjaunce upon us ; and therfore, 
dere frend, spende we nouther oure wittis ne oure money aboute 
myraclis pleying, but in doinge hem in dede, in grete drede, 
and penaunce, for sikir the wepyng and the fleyshly devocion 
in hem ben but as strokis of han hamer on every side, to dry ve 
out the nay] of oure drede in God and of the day of dome, and 
to maken the weye of Crist slidir and hevy to us, as reyn on 
erthe and cley weies. Than, frend, ^if we wilen algate pleyen, 
pleyne we as Davith pleyide bifore the harrke of God, and as 
he spac byfor Mychel his wif, dispisyng his pleyinge, wherfore 
to hir he seyde in this wise, "The Lord lyveth, for I shal pleyn 
bifore the Lord that hath chosen me rather than thi fadir, and 
al the hous of hym, and he comaundide to me that I were duke 
upon the puple of the Lord of Israel, and I schal pleyn, and I 
schal be maad fowlere more than I am maad, and I schal ben 
meke in myn ejen, and with the hand-wymmen of the whiche 
thou speke I schal more glorious aperen;" so this pleyinge hath 
thre partelis, the firste is that we beholden in how many thingis 
God hath 3y ven us his grace passynge oure nejtheboris, and 
in so myche more thanke we hym, fulfillyng his wil, and more 
tristyng in hym ajen alle maner reprovyng of owre enmys ; the 
secound partel stant in contynuel beynge devowt to God al- 
myjty, and fowl and reprovable to the world, as Crist and his 
apostelis schewiden hemself, and as Davith seide ; the thridde 
partel stant in beynge as lowly in owre owne ejen or more than 
we schewen us withoute forth, syttynge lest by in us silf, as 
we knowen mo synnes of us silf than of ony other, and thanne 
beforn alle the seyntis of hevene and biforn Crist at the day of 
dome and in the blisse of hevene we shul ben more glorious, 
in as myche as we pleyn betere thre forseid perselis heer, the 
whiche three perselis wel to pleyn heere and after to comyn to 
hevene, graunt the holy Trinite ! Amen. 

HUH 



/^A^^^W^WNAAA/'v^/VWW* 



ESTIMATE OF MEASURES, AND BURLESQUE. 

From the end of a compotus roll in the possession of George Matcham, 
Esq. M. D. of Newhouse, Wilts. The place or county to which the roll re- 
lates is obliterated, but dates occur of the 18 and 19 Edw. II. 

Per statutum tocius regni Angliae fuit mensura domini Regis 
composita, viz. quod denarius Anglicanus qui nominatur ste- 
relingus rotundus et sine tonsura, ponder abit xxxij. grana fru- 
menti in medio spicse, et xx. denarii faciunt unciam et xij. 

VOL II. 1 



56 



RKLIQUIJS ANTIQUE, 



unciie taciunt libram, sc. xx.s., et viij librce Frumei 

galonein, et viij. galonesfaciuntj. bj (bushel) London 

est octava pars quartern, et viij. In. I'aciunt quartrnum. Ad 

urjciam dcx!. grana. Ad libram vij*DcL'xxx. Et ad lugenam 

l\j". iiij". xl. Et ad bushelum cccc M . lxxx 1 *. xj H . D 

Ad quarterium \NxiK. ^ - , ' , . xxij" 1 . c m . Ix. videl 1 . "}' J]| Jf 

dcccc" 1 - c m . lx. (i. e. 3,932,100.) 

Initium fallacis Evangelium secundum Lupum. Fri 
Bathe ! In illo tempore cum natus csset Bacbus in V 
in diebus Wernardi regis, ccce magni potatores de 
parlibus venerunt dicentes, "Ubi est qui natus est rex rihfljp 
doram, dux potatorum, harlototum, glotinorum, villanoruml et 
vidimus signum ejus in oriente, et in omnibus parti! 
Oxoihec, videlicet in ballio villa: praedicts, et venimus cum mu- 
neribus adorare eum." Audiens autem heec Wernari 
turbatus est, et omnia Oxonia cum eo, et convocatis a 
potatoribus, diligenter didicit ab ets tempus ipsius signi quod 
viderant in oriente. Et stalim procedentes viderunt dob 
Baclium. Etintrantesdomum invenerunt doleum plenum, cum 
Magota meretrice ejus, et optimum potum positum in mazerio, 
et apertis loculis suis optulerunt ei raunera, aurum, argentuni, 
et plumbum. Et responso acceptoin sompnis ne redi 
bonitatem per aliam viam, reversi sunt in vniseriam suam. Et 
cum inebriati essent potatores, unus eorum cecidit in 
vinum autem per os et nares ejus exuerunt liabuudnnter, 
./. G. N. 



NOTICE OF AN OLD ENGLISH MANUSCRIPT 
IN THE ROYAL LIBRARY AT NAPLES. 

In (lit last volume of Mr. Lockharl's Life of Sir Walter Scott ia insrrtr") 
a Memoir by Sir William Gell, containing recollection* of Sir Waller's V kit 
to Naples in (lie early part of tlie year 1832. In this Sir Willinin Cell say>, 
" I must not ouiit slating that lit an early period of his visit lo Naples, on 
old English manuscript of the Romance nf Sir Bevis of Hampton, cxisllDf 
in (tie Royal Library, bad attracted bis altention, and lie bad r< 
procuring a copy of il, not, I think, for himself, but for a friend in Scotland, 
who was already possessed of another edition. When Sir Waller i 
library at the Museum, the literati of Xuples crowded round him to calf 
sight of so celebrated a person, and Ihey showed him every mark of atten- 
tion in (heir power, by creating him Honorary Member of their learu«d 

Socielies The King of Naples, learning his wish to copy the book, 

ordered it to be sent to his house, and he employed a person of the name of 
Slicchini, who, without understanding a word of English, copied the whole 
in a character as nearly as possible the- fac-simile of the original. 
til. p. 361. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 59 

In the recent Catalogue of the Abbotsford Library this transcript is thus 
entered, "Old English Romances, transcribed from MSS. in the Royal 
library at Naples, by Sticchini, MS. 2 vols. sm. 8vo. containing, Vol. I. 
Bevys of Hampton. Vol. 2. St. Alexander of Rome. — Libius Disconius." 

Having had an opportunity last September of visiting Naples, I felt de- 
sirous to examine a MS. volume, which Sir Walter Scott thought worthy of 
having copied under such peculiar circumstances. On going to the Library, 
I inquired for the transcriber, as the likeliest person to point it out — but no 
such person was known in the place. But becoming acquainted with the 
Chevalier de Licteriis, the principal keeper of the printed books in the Roj al 
library, (an old gentleman who was personally known to Sir Walter, and 
who in fact had drawn his attention to the MS. in question,) he recollected 
where it was placed, and obtained permission from the keeper of the MSS. 
for me to examine it in the Library. But so little was known of the con- 
tents of the volume, as will be observed from the following memorandum, 
that it was entitled, and entered in the Catalogue of M SS. as a collection of 
German (Tedeschi) poems. As it was impossible to obtain there any books 
of the kind necessary for comparison, 1 spent two or three forenoons in ex- 
amining the volume with some care, and in making occasional extracts, for 
the purpose of identifying the several pieces it contained, and for verifying 
Sticchini's accuracy, in case any of them might afterwards be found worthy 
of publication and the use of his transcripts be obtained from the Abbotsford 
Collection. 

Having recently compared these extracts, I find that the MS. is one of no 
very great importance, as the several pieces it contains have either been 
already published or exist in more ancient MSS. in some of the English 
libraries. It is interesting, however, from the unlooked-for place where 
it has been preserved, and it would also furnish an Editor with an abundance 
of various readings, and passages omitted by the old transcribers of similar 
collections. 

Folio MS. in the Royal Library at Naples, on paper, middle of the fifteenth 
century, marked on the back " MS. di Poesie Tedeschi, O 4 n 6. — 12 A. 47." 
On the fly leaf, in a somewhat recent hand, is written, " Questo manuscritto 
in Lingua Tedescha (now corrected to Inglese) l'ho hanuto da Diomede di 
leonardis e fu primieramente [blank in MS.] 

P. 1 — 19 are filled with Medical Receipts, &c. such as " To helpe a woman 
in travel of childe.'* " For the disease after her travaile." " To deliver a 
woman of childe dede or quike." " Whoo so hath the pose." " Another 
medecyne for the same." " To restore mannys complexion." " Another 
for the same." &c. &c. 
P. 20 — 22, are blank, or filled with some rude pen drawings of a later date. 

P. 23—79. Sir Bevys of Hamptone. 

This well-known metrical romance, translated from the French, was 
inalysed by Ellis in his Specimens. It has more recently been printed 
ntlre from the copy in the Auchinleck MS. by a zealous antiquary 
Mr. Tumbull), as a contribution to the Maitland Club, Edinb. 1838, 4to. 




century, at well mid older H S3, in England. The Neapolitan MS? Ill 
the Aachinleck copy commence* in flianms of til lines, and after proeeei 
hiejthui through eight pages, the metre is changed in lo couplets ol 
•j-llables. In Mr. TnmbuH'i edition the rOmuMM e.leuds to 4400 li 
Neapolitan MS. I reckoned has 4560 Une*. It begins, 

Lordlingis, lystenith to my tale, 

That is tneriour than the nyghtingale 

That I wotle you synge 

Of a knyght Sir Bevone, 

Thai was bore in Southamptone, 

Withouten lesing. 

He was a stalworthe man, 
And many kyngdomes wan, 
To Godis lawis ; 

He was the best that come in feld, 
And most wan with spcre and schi 
Bi his lyfe daies. 

I woll yowe telle al to-gadir. 
Of the knyght and of his fadir, 
The good Erie Sir Gy; 
Of Hampton he was lord and sire. 
And of alle that ilke shire 
Him to wardy. 

Lordlinges this Erie that I of telle. 

In his tyme man of flesche ne felle 

Nas non so stronge ; 

And ever he lyvid without wife. 

As he was in eche strife 

Tille late and long. 

Tho he was fallen in elde. 

That he ne myght him silfe weldo, 

He wolde a wife take ; 

And sone theraftir, I understand, 

Him had ben lever than alle this lond, 

Had he hur forsake. 

A wife in elde he toke on honde. 
The kyngis doghter of Skotlande, 
So feire and bright. 
Alas ! that he hur ever chese, 
His owne life for hur he lese, 
With niochelle unright. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 61 

This maide that I have of tolde, 

A faire woman scho was and bolde, 

And free i-bore ; 

Of Almayne the Emperour 

Hur lovyd par amour, 

Welle longe ther bifore. 

Oft to hur fadir he sent, 
And hym silfe thedir went, 
For hir sake ; 

Moche he desirid hur to wy ve, 
The kyng for no thing on ly ve 
Wold hur him take. 

And sithen he gave hur to Sir Gy, 

A stalworth man and an hardy, 

Of Southamptone ; 

But whan he fille in to elde, 

Febill and waxen unwelde 

Bi right resoun. 

So long thei yede togadir to bedde, 

A man childe togadir thei hedde, 

That Bevys hete ; 

A faire childe he was and bolde, 

He nas but vij. yere olde 

Tho his fadir him lete. 

After 40 additional stanzas of 6 lines, relating to the death of Bevys's father, 
he poem proceeds. 

Now wol we of him mone, 
And tel of Bevys his yong sone, 
How wo him was ; 
Ffast he wepte and hondis wrong, 
And for his fadir he seid among, 
Alias! alias! 

He clepid his modir, and seide this sawe, 

" Ffoule hore, thu were worthe to draw, 

And al to-twight; 

Me thinketh ther of I were fawe, 

Ffor thou hast my fadir slawe 

With moche unright. 

Alas ! modir, thi feire ble, 

Wil bicomythe the an hore to be, 

To holde bordell ; 



62 rlELlQUl* ANTIQUE. 

Alle horis, for thi sake, 

The devil ofhelle I hem bi-take, 

Both fiesche and felle. 

Eot, modir, o thing I the swere, 
Mowe I ever armus here, 
And be of clde, 
Alle that have my fadir slawe, 
And i-broght him of life dawe, 
] schalle hem yelde." 

His modir herd that wondir stound, 
The child she smote with hir hond 
Undir the ere ; 

To ground lie fille, and that was skatne. 
His maister toke him up ful rathe, 
That hete Sabere. 

The poems continues through 3C more stanzas of C linai (but 01 
lines appear to have been omitted by the transcriber) when the fc 
versification is changed into couplets, thus — after relating how Bevya 1 
been sold to the Saracens — 

The steward went to the Kyng, 

And presented him with that childe yonge. 

The Kyng was therof glad and blithe, 

And thankid hini many a sithe ; 

" Mahonde !" he seide, " nowe were I prout, 

"Wolde this childe to us lout, 

Yef hit wolde a paynim be, 

I wolde hope hit wolde the. 

Bi Appolyn, that sitteth on hie ! 

A fairer childe never I ne sye. 

Neither of lengthe ne of brede, 

Ne so feire lemys hede. 

" Childe," he seid, " where were thu bore 1 

What is thi name "! telle me fore, 

Yef I wist hit were melefe." 

" Sir," he seid, " my name is Befe ; 

I-bore ich was in Englonde, 

In Southampton bi tie strond. 

My fadir was ther Erie a while ; 

My modir hym slewe alle with gile ; 

Sho me solde into this lond, 

Sho is woman for to fond. 

But, sir, yef hit ever so bi-tide, 

That I may on hors to ride, 

Armys bere, and shaftis breke, 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 63 

My fadiris dethe I wol a-wreke." 

Alle he tolde him in his sawe 

Howe the emperour had his fadir slaw. 

"When B[evys]* had this him tolde, 

Therfor the Kingis hart was cold, 

And seid, " I have no heire after my day, 

But Josiane that feire may ; 

And thou wolt thi Lord forsake, 

And to Appolyn my god to take, 

Hur I wol yeve the to wyve, 

And my lond after my lyve." 

" Nay, 5 ' quod B[evys], " that do I nolde, 

Ffor alle thi silver and alle thi gold 

That is undir heven lyght, 

Ne for thi doghtir that is so bright, 

I nolde forsake in no manere 

Jhesu that boght man so dere. 

Alle mote thei be doumbe and deve, 

That on fals goddis bi-leve." 

The kyng him lovid welle the more, 

That eyghe him stode no man fore, 

And seid, " Bevys, while thu art swayn, 

Thou sohalt be my Chamburlayn 

But when thu art dubbid knygnt, 

My baner schalt thu here in fight. 

Bfevys] answerid, &c 

Near the close of the romance when Sir Milis and Sir Gy, the two sons of 
evys, rescue him, at London — it says 

So hard thei gan togadir mete, 
The blood gan renne in eche strete, 
As it seieth in Romaunce ; 
Bothe in Englond and in Fraunce, 
So many men there were dede, 
That the watir in Temze waxid rede, 
From Seint Marie at Bowe, &c. . . 

And the romance concludes with the following lines, 

To Umbraunce B[evys] is furthe fare, 

Josian was sike and wondirly sare ; 

Therfore was Bfevys] wondirly wo, 

And to his stabul he was go, 

Aroundel he found ther dede, 

To Gy his son he it seide : 

" Sur," he seid, " my moder wol dy." 

* After this Bevys is usually written in the MS* simply B. 



64 RELIQUI,E ANTtQU.E. 

To liur he wente hastely ; 
Sur B[evys] in his armys liur lace, 
And kissed hur at that cace. 
And thei deide bothe in fere. 
The kyng nolde in no manere. 
That thei in erthe buried were ; 
Of Senct Laurence he lete a chapel rere, 
And of gold made a chist gay, 
And bothe hur bodies therm lay. 
Men tellith both in gest and Tytne, 
Thei were laide in maner of shryne ; 
And a hous maad of religion, 
To synge ever for Sir Bevon; 
And for Josian the fre, 
God of her sowlis have pite ! 
And also for Arundel, 
Yef lhat for her men may bid wel ! 
Thus endith B[evys] of Hamptone, 
That was king and nobil barone ; 
Al that of his life have herd in ucrone(^), 
Godyeve hare sowlis haven pardon. 
And that we were al of suche renown 
As was B[evys] of Hamptoune! 
Amen. 

Here endith Bevy.? of Hampto\n\. 

P. BO-86. OfSeint Alex of Rome. 

The Legend of Saint Alexins the Confessor, son of Euphemiiu, ■ 
translated from the Lnlin into English verse Ijy Adam Davie, Marshall o 
Strutford-le-Bow, near London, about the year 1318. The MS. in tin 
Bodleian Library is the only one known in England; but I I 
from the linea quoted by Warlon to say whether this is not a different vi 
of the same Legend. It begins, 

Sitteth still withouten [s]trife, 

Ycche wolle you telle the life 

Of an holi man ; 

Alex was his right name, 

To servy God he thoujt no schame, 

Ther of never he ne blan. 

His father was a grete lordlyng, 

Of Rome a kyng evenyng, 

And bight Sur Eufamyan ; 

Pore men to clothe and fede, 



7—113. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 65 

In al Rom that riche stede, 
Suche ne was ther nan* 

Explicit vita Sancti Alex, 

In all 618 lines, or 103 stanzas of six lines each. 
Libious Disconious. 



ie romance of Sir Libeaux Desconus belongs to the thirteenth century, 
is mentioned by Chaucer as a popular romance. It was first published 
itson in his " Ancient English Metrical Romances," vol. 2, p. 1. His 
contains 2130 lines ; the present one, has about 2230 lines. 

Jhesu Criste owre Saviour, 

And his modir that swete flour, 

Helpe us at our nede ; 

That listenith of a conquerour, 

That was wis, witty, and wight werrour, 

A dou3ti man of dede. 

His name was hote Gyngeleyn, 

Y-gete he was of Sir Gaweyn, 

Bi a ferestus side. 

Of a betir knight ne profitable, 

With Arthur at the Round Table, 

Hurd never yet man rede. 

Gyngeleyn was feire and bright, 
Gentil of body and feire of sight, 
Bastarde thoughe he were ; 
And his modir kepit him with myght, 
That he schulde se no knight 
Y-armed in no manere. 
For that he was so savage, 
And blitheli wolde do outrage, 
To his felowis in fere, 
&c. 

The romance finishes with the following lines. 

The myrthe of that bridale 

May no man tel in tale, 

Ne sey in no gest. 

In that semely halle 

Were lordis gret and smalle, 

And ladies ful honest ; 

Ther was wel sertayne 

Servise fiille good wone, 

Both most and lest ; 

For sothe the mynstrals alle 

II. K 



RELIO.UI.B ANTlHHi.S. 

That were in the halle 
Had jiftes at that fest. 

Sir Libeous moder so fre 
Jede to that maungere", 
Hur rode was rede so rys ; 
She knewe Libeous wel bi sight. 
And wist wel anone right 
That he was of moclie pris. 
She went to Sir Gaweyne, 
And seid withouten delayne, 
" This is our childe so fre." 
Than was he glad and blithe, 
And kissed hir fele si the. 
And seid, " that liketh me!" 



Sir Gaweyne, knyght of r< 

Seid to the lady of Synadowne, 

" Madame, trewliche, 

He that wanne the with pride, 

1 wanne him bi a foreslis side, 

And gate him of a giantis lady." 

That ladi was blithe, 

And thankd him many a sith, 

And kissid him sicurely. 

Than Libeous to him ranne. 
And ever kissid that mannc. 
For sothe trewly. 
He fille on kneis that stound. 
And sate knelyng on the ground, 
And seid, " for God alleweldond, 
That made tliis worlde round, 
Feire fadir, wel be ye found, 
Je blis me with your hood." 
The hyndy knyjt Gaweyne 
Blessid his sonne with mayne, 
And made him up to stond ; 
And comandid knyjlis and swayn 
To calle Libeous Gyngelayn, 
That was lord of that lond. 

xl. daies they dwelled there, 
And hare fest thci hilde y-fere, 
With Arthour the kyng ; 
As in Romaunce it is lolde; 
Arthour with knyjtes bolde, 
Home he gan ham bryng. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUES. 67 

x. 3ere thei levid in same, 
With moche gle and game, 
He and that swete thinge. 
Jhesu Crist our Saviour, 
And his modir that swete flour, 
To blys he us alle bryng! Amen. 

Qui scripsit carmen sit benedictus. Amen. 

Hie explicit Libeus Disconyus. 

He that lovyth welle to fare, 
Ever to spend and never spare, 
But he have the more good, 
His here wol grow throw his hood. 

Quod More. 

Ric pennam fixi, penitet me si mala scripsi. 
-118. Fragment of Sir Isumbras. 

:opies of this romance of an old date are known : also an edition in 
tter. Jt is usually considered to have been one of this class of com* 
s ridiculed by Chaucer in his Byrne of Sir Thopas, which is " full of 
taken from Isumbras and other romances." (v. Tyrwhitt's Chaucer.) 
jsent copy, which contains only 121 lines at the commencement, 
rhoUy from the black letter edition by Copeland, which was re-pub- 
y Mr. Utterson. It begins, 

He that made both heven and erthe 
And al this worlde in daies sevyn, 
That is ful of myghth, 
Send us alle his blessyng, 
Las and more, olde and yong, 
And kepe us day and nyght! 
Y wol you telle of a knyght, 
That was doujty in ilke fight, 
In towne and eke in fielde ; 
Ther durst no man his dynt abide, 
With spere ne with schilde. 
Man he was riche y-nowe, 
Ox to drawe in his plowe, 
And stedis in his stalle ; 
Man he was curteyse and hynde, 
Every man was his frende, 
He was lord of alle; 
Curteis and hynde he was, 
His name was clepid Sir Isombrase. 
&c. &c. &c. 



68 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUA. 

P. 1I9—U0. Griseldc. 

This poem on (he subject of P alien! Griseldis has no title, but is ia I 
Chaucer's Griselde, or The Clerke of Oienfordes Tale, which, as the Cb 
declares in his prologue, he learned of Pelrurk at Padua. A leaf in the ! 
which contained the title is lost, unless it was transcribed from mi imper 
copy, as here it begina with the siith stanza. 

Noble Markis, yowre hum any te 

Assurith us and yevith hardynesse. 

As oft as tymes is of necessity, 

That we to yowe mowen telle our hevyness. 

Accepteth, lord, nowe ofyowre geutilnesse, 

That we with peteous hert onto 30We pleyne, 

And lete not joure eris my vois disdeyne. 

U stanzas of 7 lines. 
Explicit prima pars. Et incipit secunda para. 

NoghljTer] fro that paleyse honorable. 
Where as tliis Mark[i]s shopc his mariage. 
There stode a thrope of site deli table, 
In whielie that pore folke of that village 
Hadden here bestis and here herborage, 
And of her labour toke hare sustynance, 
Aftir that the erthe yeve hem habundauuee. 

3."> stanzas. 
Explicit secunda pars. Et incipit pars lertia. 

Tharfille, as hit byfaiitth tymes moo, 
Whanne lhat this childe had sowked but a thro 
This Markfis] in his hert longeth soo, 
To tempte his wife hur sadnes for to knowe, 
That be ne myght owte of his hert throwe 
This mervailous desire his wife to assay, 
Nedles, God wote, thought hur for to affray. 
23 stauzns. 
Explicit tertiapars. Incipit pars quarto. 

In this estat ther pas si d bith fowie yere, 

Or shee with childe was, but as God wolde, 

A knave childe she bare bi this Waltere, 

Ful gracious and feire tobeholde; 

And whanne that folke hit to bis fader tolde, 

Not only he but alle his country mery 

Was for this childe, and God thei thonke and he*"^ 



Explicit paf* quarto, el incipit pars quintet. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJE. 69 

Amoge alle this, aftir his wikked usage 

This Mark[i]s yet his wife to tempte more, &c. 

56 stanzas.— The last stanza follows : 

For whiche here for the "Wifes love of Bathe, 
Whose life and alle her secte God menteyne 
In high maistre, and els were it skathe, 
I wil with lusti hert fresche and grene, 
Say yowe a songe to glad yowe y wene, 
And let us stinte of ernestml matere, 
Herkenith my song that seithe in this manere. 

Cantus. 

Griselde is dede and eke her pacience, 
And bothe y-buried at onys in Itaile ; 
Wherefore I crie in open audience, 
No weddid man so hardi be to assaile 
His wifis pacience, in trist to finde 
Grisildis, for in certeyne he schalle faile. 

O noble wifis, ful of high prudence ! 

Let no humilitee your tonge naile, 

Ne let no clerke have cause or diligence 

To writ of you a stori of suche merveile, 

As of Griseldis pacience and kynde, 

Lest Chy vache yowe swolowe in her entraile ; 

Folowith ekko that holdeth no silence, 

But ever aunswerid at countretaile, 

Beth nought bedaffid for your innocence, 

But sherply takith on jou the gover naile ; 

Emprentith wel this lessen in your mynde, 

For commine profite, sith hit may nought advaile. 

Ye leche wifes stondith at the defence, 
Sith ye bith strong as in a gret camaile ; 
Ne suffrith nought that men doon yow offence, 
And sclenders wifis feble as in bataile, 
Beth egre as a tigre aonde in Inde, 
Ay clappith as a mylle, I 30W consaile, 

Ne dredeth him nought, doth him no reverence, 

For thoghe thi husbonde armed be in maile, 

The arowis of thi crabbid eloquence 

Shalle peirsche his brest and eke his ventaile. 

In jelousy y rede eke thowe him bynde, 

And thu schalt mak him cowche as doth a quaile. 



■v 



70 RBLIQUIA ANTIQUE. 

Jef thou be faire, ther folk ben in presence, 
Show thow thi visage and thyn apparaile ; 
Jef thow be fowle, be free of tliyn dispence. 
To gete the frendis ay do thow thi travaile ; 
Be ay of chere as lighte as lefe on lynde, 
And lete him care arid wepe, wring and waile. 

This worthi Clerk whan endid was his tale, 

OwTe oft saide and sware by Goddis bonis, 

Me were lever than a barelle ale. 

My wife at home had herd this legend onys, 

This gentille tale for the nonys ; 

As to my purpos wiste ye my wille, 

But thing that wolle nat be lat it be stille. 

Explicit ;jjini$. 

Hlc pennamjixi, penitet ;ne si male scrlpsi, 
od. mprf. Anno domini 1457. 

O ye wymmen, which been enclyned, 
Bi enfluence of joure nature, 
To bene as pure as gool fined. 
In joure strenght for to endure, 
Anne your silfe in strong armoure, 
Lest men assaile your si kirn esse, 
Set on jour brest ^our silve to assure 
A myghti schilde of doblenesse. 
January 1841. D. L. Edi% 



THE PUISNES WALKS ABOUT LOND 



From MS. Hart. 3910, f 



i. or the seventeenth century. 



When I came first to London towne, 

I was a novice, as most men are, 

Me thought the king dwelt at the sign of the Croun, 

And the way to heaven was through the Starr. 

I sett up my horse and walkt to Poules, 
" Lord !" thought I, " what a church is heere !" 
And then I swore by all christen soules, 
'Twas a myle long, or very neere. 

Nay, mee thought 'twas as high as a hill, 
A bill (quoth 1 j, nay as a mountayn ! 
Then up I went with a very good will, 
But gladder was to come downe againe. 



REUQUIJE ANTIQUE. 71 

For on the topp my head tworn'd roond, 
For be it knowne to all christen people, 
That mans not a little way from the ground, 
Thats on the topp of all raules steeple. 

To Ludgate then I ran my race : 
When I was past I did backward looke, 
Ther I spyed Queen Elizabeth's grace, 
Her picture guylt, for all gould I tooke. 

And as I came downe Ludgate hill, 

Whome should I meet but my good Lord Mayor] 

On him I gap'd as yongsters still 

Gape on toyes, in Bartilmew fairc 

I know not which of 'em to desire, 
The mayor or the horse they were both so like; 
Their trappings so rich you would admyre, 
Their faces such, non could dislike. 

But I must consider perforce 
The saying of ould, so true it was, 
The gray mayor is the better horse, 
And all's not gould that shynes lyke brass. 

In Fleet strete then I heard a shoote : 
I putt of my hatt, and I made no staye, 
And when I came unto the rowte, 
Good Lord ! I heard a taber playe. 

For so, God save mee ! a Morrys Daunce : 
Oh ther was sport alone for mee, 
To see the hobby horse how he did praunce 
Among the gingling company. 

I proffer'd them money for their coats, 
But my conscience had remorse, 
For my father had no oates, 
And I must have had the hobbie horse. 

To see the Tombes was my desire, 
And then to Westminster I went, 
I gave one twoe pence for his hyre, 
'Twas the best two pence that ere I spent. 

" Here lyes " (quoth hee) " King Hery the third." 
" Tis false/' said I, " hee speaks not a word.*' 
" And here is King Richard the seacond interd, 
And here is good King Edwards sword." 



I tooke a boale, and would stay no loi 
And as I towards the Bridge did rowe, 
I and my selfe began to wonder, 
Howe that it was built belowe. 

But then my trend John Stow I remember., 
In's Booke of London call'd the Survay, 
Saith that on the fift.he clay e of September, 
With wooll sacks they did it underlay. 

Then through the Bridge io the Towre I went, 
With much a doe I wandred in, 
And when my penny 1 had spent, 
Thus the spokesman did begin. 



" This lyon's fhe Kings and this is the ■£_ 
And this is the Princes that stands by hym." 
I drew nere not knowing which hee means, 
" What ayle you, my frend, to go so nigh hi in !" 
" Doe you see the lyon, this that lyes downel 
Its Henry the Great, twoe hondred years olde." 
" Lord bless us " (quoth I) " how he doth frown !' 
" I tell you" (quoth hee) " hee's a lyon boulrW 

Now was it late, I went to my Inne, 
I supt and I slept and I rose betymes, 
Not wak't with crowes nor ducks quackling, 
But with the noyse of Checpside chymes. 



THE DEMAUNDES JOYOUS. 

From an unique copy ill the Public Library of the University ofCambr 
printed by Wynltyn dc Worde. The great curiosity as well as rarity 01 
tract will we think justify its beiug printed complete, in spite of a tew p 
passages which it contains. It is chiefly aa abridgment of a very m 
tract with the same title, of which a copy is pre«crvcd in the British Mm 
and which far eiceeds the present in grossneas. 

Dcmaunde, Who bare the best burden that ever was b 
R. That bare the asse whan our lady fled with our lord 
to Egypte. Detnaunde. Where became the asse tha 
lady rode upon? R. Adams moder dede ete her. 
maunde. Who was Adams moder? R. The erthe. 
inaunde. What space is from the hyest space of (he se t 
depest. R. But a stones cast. Detnaunde. Whan . 
mne into this worlde, what thynge shall be hardi 
hym to knowe. A hande barowe, for of that he s" " 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUiE. 73 

knowe whiche ende shall goo before. Demaunde. How many 
calves tayles behoveth to reche frome the erthe to the skye ] 
R. No more but one and it be longe ynough. Demaunde. 
How many holy days be there in the yere that never fall on 
the Sondayes ] R. There be eyght, that is to wete the thre holy 
dayes after Eester, iii. after Whyt Sondaye, the holy Ascen- 
cyon daye, and Corpus Crysty day. Demaunde. Whiche ben 
the trulyest tolde thynges in the worlde] R. Those be the 
steyres of chambres and houses. Demaunde. Whiche parte of 
a sergeaunte love ye beste towarde you? R. His heles. De- 
maunde. Whiche is the best wood and leest brente] R. Vynes. 
Demaunde. Whiche is the moost profitable beest and that men 
eteth leest of] R. That is bees. Demaunde. Whiche is the 
brodest water and leest jeopardye to passe over ] R. The dewe. 
Demaunde. What thynges is it that the more that one drynk- 
eth the lesse he shall pysse ] R. It is fartes and fyestes, for 
who that drynketh a hondreth thousande they shall never 
pysse a droppe. Demaunde. What thynge is it that never 
was nor never shall be ] R. Never mouse made her nest in a 
cattes ere. Demaunde. Why dryve men dogges out of the 
chyrche] R. By cause they come not up and ofFre. Demaunde. 
Why come dogges so often to the chyrche ] R. Bycause 
whan they se the aulters covered, they wene theyr maysters 
goo thydere to dyner. Demaunde. Why dooth a dogge tourne 
hym thryes aboute or that he ly eth hym downe ] R. Bycause 
he knoweth not his beddes hede from the fete. Demaunde. 
Why doo men make an oven in the towne ] R. For bycause 
they can not make the towne in the oven. Demaunde. What 
beest is it that hath her tayle bytwene her eyen] R. It is a 
catte whan sche lycketh her arse. Demaunde. Whiche is the 
moost cleynlyest lefe amonge all other leves ] R. It is holly 
leves, for noo body wyll not wype his arse with them. De- 
maunde. Who was he that lete the fyrst farte at Rome ] R. 
That was the arse. Demaunde. How may a man knowe or 
perceyve a cowe in a flocke of shepe] R. By syghte. De- 
maunde. What thynge is it that hathe homes at the arse ] R. 
It is a sacke. Demaunde. What almes is worst bestowed that 
flten gyve] R. That is to a blynde man, for as he hathe ony 
%nge gy ven hym, he wolde with good wyll se hym hanged by 
&e necke that gave it hym. Demaunde. Wherfore set they upon 
ctyrche steples more acocke thanahenne] R. Yf men sholde 
•ette there a henne, she wolde laye egges, and they wolde fall 
u pon mennes hedes. Demaunde. What thynge is it that hathe 
none ende ] R. A bowle. Demaunde. What wode is it that 
Ijevei flyes reste upon ] R. The claper of a lazers dysshe. 

^DMUinde. How wolde ye saye two paternosters for your 
▼ol. n. r 



71 RELIQUI.B ANTiat'*. 

frendes soule, and God never made but one paternoster! E. 
S aye one Lwo tymes. Demaunde. Whiche ben the moost pro- 
t'vtaliln savntes in the chyrche? R. They that stonde in tie 
g'lasse wyndowes, for they kepc out the wynde for v 
of the lygbte. Demaunde. What people be they tha 
go a processyon ? R. They be those that rynge the : 
the ineane season. Demaunde. What is it. that frc-i 
R. That is hote water. Demaunde. What thynge 
that is moost lykest unto a hors? R. That is a mare. De- 
maunde. Wherefore be there not as many women a 
in the daunce of poules as there be men? R. Bycause a 
woman is so ferefull of herte that she had lever daunc 
quycke folke than dede. Demaunde. Whiche is ■: i 
liest occupacyon that is? R. That is a dauber, for he may 
neyther shyte nor ete tyll he hath wasshed his hands 
maunde. What daye in the yere ben the Byes moost altrJe ! 
R. That is on Palme Sonday, whan they se every body have 
an handeful of palme in theyr haride, they wene it is 
tbeym with. "Demaunde. What tyme of the yere may mar* 
dens moost with theyr boneste fyest in the chyrche f R. It 
Lent season, for then every sayntcs nose and face is covered 
so that they smell nothynge. Demaunde. What thynge is it the 
lesse it is the more it is dredde ! R. A brydge. Di ■:. 
Wherefore is it thai yoiige children wepe as soone as i i 
hen borne? R. Bycause theyr moder is noo more may den. De- 
maunde. Wherfore is it that an asse hathe so grete cres ? R. 
Bycause her moder put no begyn on her heed in her y ought. 
Demaunde. What is it that is a wryte, and is no man, and he 
clothe that no man can, and yet it serveth bothe God and man? 
R. Thatisabe. Demaunde. Whiche was fyrst, the henne or 
Lhe egge ! R. The henne, whan God made her. Dei 
Whve dotho an oxe or a cowe lye? R. Bycause she can not 
sytte. Demaunde. What people be they that love no1 mi id 
wyse to be prayed for? R. They be heggers and pom . 
whan men say, God helpe them ! whan they aske almes. De- 
maunde. Howe many strawes go to gose nest ? R. None, fe* 
lackeof fete. Demaunde. What tyme in the yere bereth agose 
moost feders I R. Whan the gander is upon her backe. De- 
maunde. What was he that slewe the fourthe pari' 
worldel P. Cayne, whan thai he slewe his hroder Abell, in lh« 
whyche tyme was but foure persons in the worlde. Demaunde. 
What was he that was brgotcn or his fader, and ban 
moder, and had the mavdenhede of his beldame? R. Thai was 
Alu'll. Demaunde. What thre thynges be they that the 
worlde is moost mayntened by. R. That is to wete by 
eibes, and stones. Why ? with wordes man worshyppeth God, 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 75 

and as of erbes that is all maner of come that man is fedde 
with, and as stones one is that gryndeth the come and the other 
encreaseth the worlde. Demaunde. What is the aege of a 
felde mous ? R. A yere, and a hedge may stande thre mous 
lyves, and the lyfe of a dogge is the terme of thre hedges stand- 
ynge, and the lyfe of a hors is thre dogges lyves, and the lyfe 
of a man is thre hors lyves, and the lyfe of a gose is thre 
mennes lyves, and the lyie of a swanne thre gose lyves, and the 
lyfe of a swalowe is three swanne lyves. and the lyfe of an egle 
is thre swalowes lyves, and the lyfe of a serpent is thre egles 
lyves, and the lyfe of a raven is thre serpentes lyves, and the 
lyfe of a harte is thre ravens lyves, and an oke groweth fy ve 
hondreth yere, and it fadeth fy ve hondreth yere, besyde the rote 
whiche doubleth three tymes everyche of the thre aeges afore- 
sayd. Demaunde. A man had thre doughters of thre aeges, 
which doughters he delyvered to sell certayne apples, and he 
toke to the eldest doughter 1, apples, and to the seconde .xxx. 
apples, and to the yongest ten apples, and all these thre solde 
in lyke many for a peny, and brought home in lyke moche 
money, now how many solde eche of them for a penny] R. 
The yongest solde fyrst seven for a peny, and the other two 
systers solde after the same pryce, than the eldest syster had 
one odde apple lefte, and the seconde syster two, and the 
yongest thre apples, now these apples lyked the byer soo well 
that incontynent he came agayne to the yongest syster, and 
bought of her thre apples after thre pens a pece, than had she 
ten pens, and the seconde thoughte she wolde kepe the same 
pryce, and solde her two apples for thre pens a pece and than 
had she ten pens, and the eldest solde her one apple for thre 
pens, and than had she ten pens, thus solde they in lyke many 
apples for a peny and broughte home in lyke moche money. 
Demaunde. What man is he that geteth his lyvynge back- 
warde ! R. That is ropemaker. Demaunde. What people 
be tho that getethe theyr ly wynge moost merylyest ! R. Tho be 
prestes and fullers, for one syngeth and the other daunceth. 
Demaunde. What is he that made all and sold all, and he that 
bought and loste all? R. A smyth made an all and solde 
it, and the shomaker that bought it lost it. Demaunde. 
Whether is it better to ly ve by thefte or by almes dede ] R. 
The rewarde of thefte is to be hanged, and yf thou ly ve by 
almes dedes, that is by beggers tordes. 

Thus endeth the Demaundes Joyous, imprynted at London, 
in Flete Strete, at the sygnne of the sonne, by me Wynkyn de 
Worde. In the yere of our lorde a M. ccccc and xi. 



A CHRISTMAS CAROL. 

From a MS. vol. foi. 210 b. lettered on the back " Metrical Roi 
and Moroliwtlona," 4Ui, written about the end of the fifteenth century ,u 
preserved in the Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. 

This ondiirs nyjt I see a syght, 

A sterre schone bryght as day. 
And everymeng a meden song 

was, By, by, lulley! 

This [endurs syght.] 
This lovely lady scte and song, 

and tyll hur chyld con say, 
" My son, my lord, my fadur deyr, 

why lyns thou thus in hey 1 
My none swete bryd, what art thu kyd 

and knowus thi lord of ey 1 
Never the lessc I will not sesse 

to syng, By, by, lulley !" 

This [endurs nyght.] 

This chyld ontyli is modur spake, 

and thus me thowght he seyd, 
" I am kend for heven kyng, 

in cryb thowght I be luyd ; 
Angelis bryght schalleto me lyght, 

je wot ryght welle in fey; 
Off this be hest, gyffe me jowr brest, 

and syng, By, by, lulley !" 

This [endurs nyght.] 

" My aune der son, to the I say, 

thou art me lefe and dere; 
How schuld I serve the to pey 

and plese on all manere? 
AH thi wyll I wyll fulfylle, 

thou wottes ry~3t wellin fay ; 
Never the leyse I wyll not sesse, 

to syng, By, by, lulley !" 

This [endiiv.^ nyihjC i 

" My dere moder, when tymc it be, 

jb tak [me] up on loft, 
And sett me ryjt apon jour kne, 

and liondul me full soft; 
In jour arme ie kepe me warine. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUES. 77 

both be nyght and day, 
GyfF I wepe and will not slepe, 
to syng, By, by, lulley !" 

This [endurs nyght.] 

" My aune dere son, sen it is thus, 

that thou art lord of alle, 
Thou shuld have ordent the sum bydyhg 

in sum kynge halle. 
Me thenkus aryght a kyng or a knyght, 

shuld be in rych arey, 
And jett for this I woll not seysse 

to syng, By and lulley !" 

This [endurs nyght.] 

" My aune der son, to the I say, 

me thynkus it is no laye, 
That kyngus shuld com so fer to the, 

and thu not to them deny. 
Yow sarwn see the kyngus .iii. 

apon the twelfe day, 
And for that syjt $e may be lyght, 

to syng By, by, lolle P 

This [endurs nyght.] 

" May aune der son, sen it is thus, 

at all thyng is at wyll, 
I pray the grant me a bone, 

gyi it be ryght of skylle. 
Chyld or man that will or can, 

be mery on this gud day, 
To hevun blysse grawnt hit us, 

and syng, By, by, lulley !" 

This 

D.L. 



78 REUQt't.B ANTlQU.fi, 


MIDDLE-ENGLISH GLOSSES. 


Prom a MS. of Walter de Bibbleswortb, lu ttie Public I-ibrary of I 


University of Cambridge, written ii 


i the reign of Edward II. The (rawer 


was made some years ago, and was 


it is feared not always accurate. It t 


been corrected as far as possible by 


MS. Arundel, No. 220. 


be-litter, enfaunter 


rok, palet 


swath-clut, mayhlez 


bis si, entenhves 


a rockeir, berceir 


the gomes, gingives 


cradel, berce 


honde, aleine 


to crepe, chatoner 


the throtebolle, le gargaU 


slaverez, il baave 


miderede, li gist rate 


fro slavering, de baavure 


faxwax, le wen au col 


a slavering clout., une baatiert 


• kanel bon, lafourcele. 


bi-lagge him, espaluer 


wombe, ventre 


laminge, maime 


back, dos 


hurting, blesure 


bac bon, lescine 


stomble, ceste 


schuldir, espaul 


falle, ckece 


arme, bras 


the scheld, la greve 


breste, peiirine 


the shed, la greve 


nethere, suzaine 


the feldefare, la greue 


wangeteth, messeleres 


lockes, les chevevz 


dalke, unfossolet 


crispe, recer cities 


the skale, le filet 


foretop, toup 


hole, molet 


hechele, serences 


ume,(?) kakenole 


a toppe of flax, de lin le toup 


of hemes, cervele 


athe toppe, au toup 


thone wonges, le aemom 


wind the yarne, desernes le toup Beholder bon, blazoun 


hernepanne, hanepel 


arntole, ascel 


brayn, cervele 


a.xetre, le escel 


goundi, chaciouse 


mist, le broil 


the gounde, chads 
maldrop, la rupie 


erlhe, soil 


strif, le toil 


preciouse stones, de la rubie 


north hest, le vent de bite 


the appel of the eie, la prunel thowinge, remoil 


the eie lidde, le pattpere 


heibowes, coustez 


hercs, les cils 


the virste, la koude de la «*■ 


browes, les surdls, 


the back, la clay dehc 


therles, nariz 


the spotie, galeins 


grislel, tendroun 


the spen, galeins 


the co, la chouue 


a ribbe, une coste 


cheke, routes 
lippe, levere 


of a side, de une coatee 


shzare, le penile 


the hare, leverer 


thees, \tjuissys] 


the pounl, la liver 


bottokesj les nuges 


bock, litre 


clifl, lafourchirc 



RELIQULE ANTlQtl*. 



kevechwe 


stalk, testiche 


iwmbp.it 


kore, pepinere 


ic-is 


hertes, cerfs 


karrez 


cranes, gnoses 


ez 


partriz, perdriz 
larkes, alounes 


garrez 


garelers 


cokes, poleins 


charretters 


cileries, des r-ilrins 


we 


sma.le briddes, des oy 


m, se assure 


mork, des ferns (?) 


i, le kanel 


teles, cerceles 


mte 


touting jouper 




berre, ourse 


un 


cow vaclie 


■nil 


lowes, mugist 


■nil 


crane, gntue 


eir 


crekes, groule 




rounes, rougist 


omoun 


hasil, covdre 


den 


quakes j troiile 


muele 


neves, henist 


•eynoun 


larke, alowe' 


tomak 


croukes, gerist 


turf 


cisses, cxfie 


vescie 


roreth, recane 




suan, cine 


met 


ciasez, recifle 




wolfe, lawwe 


iel 


voiles, mile 
berkes bade 


•el 


char 


suluuard, ptilois (?) 


char 


s teres, afraie 


ikar 


{oxjopil 

welleth, cleye 


remist 


mrdisent 


brocke, thelson (?) 


1, le drener apel 


gandre 


rrdaunt 


quekez, taraile 


ardilom 


quekine taroil 




trappe, garotte 


n, defvbihun 


tode, crapant 


ibe [de blancpayn] 
une lesche 


crodeth, maule 


frogge, reyne 
snake, cofuvre 


eschale 


me 


gris, parcel 


muel 


wineth, gerist 


•erminoun 


boor, cengler 



80 REtiQti* ANTIQUE. 


velleth, releie 


sikel, faucd 


kide, cheverau 


rep, siez 


multerers, cherist 


a repe, unjavete de He 


bole, tor 


repes, j'aveles 


yelleth, toririe 


szeves, garbet 


souue, troye 


a pese ns, un warroch i 


gronnes, groundile 


beene, favors 


drak, drache 


szeves, warrock 


doukete, ploundur 


ric, seyfe 


kakeles, pat tie 


barli, orge 


leyth, poune 
a henne, geline 


sarnel, yverai 


drauck, betel 


coppet, kuppe 


ttiar, azoun 


and kakeles, e spatUe 


kokil, fe TiecZf?; 


szep, berbis 


blowetli, blauerole 


bleateth, baleie 


malue, mauwe 


hoppeth, bale 


szeriok, car oil 


bagge, bale 


totelle, retrei'r 


gones, baal 


haling wippe, riole dimmer 


rases him, se esprecke 


reke, moye 


netle, rey 


stake, tkasse 


Lock, hesclie 


reke, moiloun 


ring, tresclie 


avenes eyies, (1) des or 


spade, besche 


biddest, quiltez 
windewith, ventoz 


lompe, abbesche 


szivere, alesche 


grounden, molu 


liketh, lescfie 


grist, le moudre 


lappen, flater 


mele, farin 


dewe, rose 


boltingclotb, le bulenge 


losengour, flater 


branne, fourjre 


glounden, espelu/cer 


ribbe, rastuer 


a mote, poyttm 


troh w, moundez 


catel, aveir 


rake, raster 


have, avtr 


ribbe, rastuer 


reed, soor 


trhow, le auge 


reed, goules 


ievin,Jeugere 


queue, reyjie 
frock, reyne 


the mower, lifaucheowr 


m ou w e th , faucke 


for we, reyoun 


chnf,Jail 


nette, rey 


she, paille 


in mynbevede londe, enmafore 


e pese stre, pessaz 


don out of tune, foreiner 


housewif, la tnesuner 


thef, lers 


lynsede, lyneis 


■~i\h>>, faus 


filaxlolles, bitchraus 


mo we, fauches 


wede hit, le sarchez 


a swethe of mede, une audeine rethe bit, le rekacz 


du pree 


druwe hit, le secchei 



RELIQUIiB ANTIQUE. 



81 



ck, pessel 

ttuger 

uer 

rence 

mil 

mcl(?) 

sil 



abidige, delai 
gret pol, lay 
mire, betumay 
szyne, nace 
neth, rey 
szine, nace 
ridel, cruiere 



un smale, mennement 

le fusil the bothem, le gurget 

el, (molupar le) fusil dornhep, nare revertez(l) 



%u trauil 
filere 
•rauiller 
ide, la widere 
wider 

er 

i lussel 
tde 

ru le hai(?) 
2mes 

szaly, une lame 
$er 
les 

lefrenole 
pices, brakenole 

irez 

descoude 
tier 
mee 

iges 

orbail 

ail 

nolu 

te, keuerel 
i 

9 

ze 
He 

er 
her 

espuchez 
icke 
oraunt 

M 



fulthe, V ordure 

tode, crapaude 

henete, tezart 

nedder, serpent 

snake, colure 

greet, gravele 

flint, cailloun 

snayl, lymacoun 

gilles, vembergis 

kelinge, mulewel de mer 

gappe, crevessoun 

grene balke, vert cerail 

szadewe, umbrail 

wode hevese, lourail 

stepinstones, passueres 

stremes, russeles 

hevese, hourail 

lindes hurdes, le keuue laroun 

balke, tenail 

handel, tenoun 

tilier, cotuyer 

tonges, tenailles 

colles, carbuns 

smith, fevre 

thaweth, [degele] 

szlidinde, lidaunt 

sletes, cymere 

a flake of snowe, un aunfe de 

neif 
haileth, grele 
smale, grele 
thonner, toner 
thondres, toune 
tonne, toune 
slepeth, toune 
wineled, li estomac 



82 REUQUI.E ANTIQUE. 


hand mouie, capinole 


tabart, houte 


garlond, ckapeu 


helren, .mean 


bloweth, blavuerole 


wilwe, sauz 


keitli, frivole 


hoke, cheine 


becippe hure, I'acole 


W, eye 


pokes, veroles 


helre, sucy 


maselinges, les rvgeroles 


houle, houswan 


pleyen, esbanoer 
\i\ie,fluir de lys 


throstel, mauviz 


bosc, bmson 


solicle.^ur de surcye 


osel, merle 


helpe, aye 


sheldedrake, herle 


kousloppe, primeveir 


stare, filaundre, 


weibrede, plauntayne 


wodelarke, ckalaundre 


hertetong, cerlaunge 


criket, salemaundre 


chine, ruceriez 


scheden him frorae, espawuir 


dayscic, consoude 


telles, espandi 


smerdocke, [mercurial - ] 


schedes, espande 


surdoke, furels 


flakerers, paunde 


roddok, la parele 


spele, espander 


mogwed, nermoise 


fumment, eiles 


maylhe, meroke 


sparwes, mosc/iorns 


tuybil, besagn 


swimmeth, nee 


app iltre, pomer 


drounes, noe 


peretre, per ere 


hores, nuduns(?) 


chiritre, cereiser 


rowen, nager 


haish, f reins 


bot, ba teles 


brom, genet 


szipman, mariner 


plomtrejpraaer 


snowe, negger 


hawethen, ceneiller 


flakes, aumfes 


hawes, cenedles 


■woddekoc, oysel a let 


stot.horne, fouder 


roddocke, verder 


slos, foudernes 


forester, forester 


brere, eglenter 


wranne, le verender 


he pes, pe.peronges 


stone, tresel 


bolastre, crekere 


stone, trescel 


bolas, crekes 


fithele, la, viele 


cirnetre, alter 


floute, frestele 


cirnes, alies 


titemose, musinge 


quincetre, coingner 


thour sekes, renge 


in stockes, neif coitujner 


ther gurdel, la renge 


stockes, ceps 


the rede fleye, la jmlentJ* 


a wegg, un coigner 


golfinges, cardenerole 


box, buit 


boterfleie, papilouns 


palm tre, paumere 


thisfeles, diarduns 


mapil, arable 


breres, runces 


hohntre, la houte 


greshop, grissiloun 



RELIQUL2E ANTIQUE. 



richoun 


axetre, essel 


hes 


pinnes, hetes 


,es 


cloutes, juneres 




cartbody, chartil 




ronges, rideles 


runjoun 


staves, roilouns 


lies 


nayles, clous 
letherin clout, sauneres 


it 


;e 


laddres, eschelez 


lane 


axetre clout, U ad esself' ') 


i auwe rosee 


armeholle ascel 




thilles, lymons 


•unde 


thille hors, limower 


xai 


womberop, venter 


everotmde 


taylrop, vauner 


■unde 


childing, gysme 




thille hors, limouer 




eyhe, bracerole 


il 


bicluppes, eolc 


'oriol 


pinnes, billet 


:houn 


hambrowes, eseeles 




homes, esselez 


nauputois 


halingwippe, larioite 


e.ite 


gode, aguilloun 


Hk 


horsoome, estle 




scorne, agaz 


js, taupaines 


wispe, iorbas 




watred, wacz 


reres, la dome 


fothj penoun 


■jlume 


hand el, maunal 




sturte, tenoun 


n 


ploureste, oroilloun 


i treyn 


sheldebred, tescuchovn 




koltre, soke 


rette 


shzar, vomer 


OS 


plousbem, la haie 


leans 


hegh, du, haie 


■ais 


yokes, lesjus 


ais de soleil 


streingued, artez 


■aies 


hele woth, la meseve 


••ais de charette 


huswif, mestWe 


mus 


haiward, ly messere 


I 


the wineretre, le poufre 




gistes, les soillouns 


V 


pinne, kinil 




n auger, terere 



84 



REMQUIjB AVT1QU.&. 



pantir, genchour 
lachyes, grenchouns 
splentes, trenchons 
splentres, trenchons 
gnawinges, trenchesouns 
lover, aumeur 
therswalde, la lyme 
hoverdome, la suUime 
dorstodes, gyrneans 
hokes, les gouns 
hengles, verteveles 
mochul, fimer 
szhides, asteles 
annd hirnes, furchez deferz 
hambors, osceles 
holiz, aune 
ay lis, firrine 
berche, lafue 
becche, defeu 
grenhed, verdour 
sparkes, estencles 
imbrers, breses 
szherd, un teske 
glading, bele chere 
huysseles, flaumecches 
hendes, les botes 
sydes, les eures 
soly, sale 
hall, sale 
biselet, boulke 
nailes, les eles 
fleyshhock, [oirtoun] 
huive, rouche 
ladil, la louche 
szhike, \jonette\ 
szhikinston, lucchier 
wele, teille 



welwit, enflestrick 

bees, des ces 

swamnes, les docs 

houny come, brecche de md 

haringes, bisseaus 

lappes, escous 

steppes, escous 

bi-spimet, esclavote 

steppes, esclos 

soly cloth, /ale toupe 

wlaffez, bauleye 

sny vele, noser 

a pile of garlec, un aiilie 

slavereth, baave 

stotreth, il buge 

koker, deing 

whlispen, pleiser 

kouwe, tusser 

spete, estouper 

bolke, ruper 

spywe, vomer 

cer, cerveile 

wamblez, laumber 

fleye, mouche 

cheulkes, masche 

suolwes, gousle 

bolke, ruper 

spewe, vomera 

cranes, grues 

pokockes, poeuns 

suannes, cynes 

kides, chevereaus 

porceaus, purceus 

hennes, gelines 

woddekoches, astiez 

feldefare, grues 

larkes, alawes 



Wrt. 



REMQUI.S ANTIQUjB. 86 

THE ROMANCE OF ATHELSTON. 

From MS. No. 175, in the library of Caius College, Cambridge. 

Lord, that is off my gtys most, 
Fadyr and sone and holy gost, 

Bryng us out off synne, 
And lene us grace so for to wyrke, 
To love bothe God and holy kyrke, 

That may hevene wynne ! 
Lystnes, lordyngs that ben hende, 
Off ffalsnesse hou it wil ende, 

A man that ledes him therin. 

Off ffoure weddyd brethryn I wole you i-tel, 
That wolden yn Yngelond go dwel, 

That sybbe wer noujt off kynde. 
And alle four messangeres they were, 
That wolden yn Ynglond lettrys bere, 

As it wes here kynde. 
By a fforest gan they mete, 
"Wer a cros stoode in a strete, 

Be leff undyr a lynde. 

And as the story telles me, 
Ylke man was of dy vers cuntre, 

In book i-wreten we ffynde. 
For love of here metyng thar, 
They swoor hem weddyd brethryn for ever mar, 

In trewthe trewely dede hem bynde. 
The eldeste off hem ylkon, 
He was hyjt Athelston, 

The kings cosyn der. 
He was off the kyngs blood 
Hys eemes sone I undyrstood, 

Therfore he neyjyd hym ner. 
And at the laste, weel and fayr, 
The kyng hym dyyd wythouten ayr, 

Thenne was ther non hys pere 
But Athelston hys eemes sone, 
To make hym kyng wolde they noujt schon, 

To corowne hym wyth gold so clere. 

Now was he kyng semely to se, 
He sendes afftyr nys brethryn there, 
And gaff hem her warysoun. 
The eldest brothir he made eerie of Dovre, 



I RELIQUI£ ANTIQP.E. 

And thus the pore man gan covre 

Lord off tour and toun. 
That othjT brothyr he made eerl of Stane, 
Egelond was hys name, 

A man off gret renoun. 
And gaff hym tyl bys weddyd wyff, 
Hys owne sustyr, dame Odyff, 

With gret devocyoun. 

The ferthe brothir was a clerk, 
Mekyl he cowde off Goddys werk, 

Hys name it was Alryke. 
C aunty rbury was vacant, 
And fel into that kynges hand, 

He gaff it hym that wyke. 
And made hym bysschop of that stede, 
That noble clerke an booke cowde rede, 

In world was non hym lyche. 
Thus avaunsyd he hys brothyra thorwj Goddis g 
And Athelston hym selven was 

A good kyng and ryche. 

And he that was eerl off Stane, 
Ser Egeland was hys name, 

Was trcwe as je schal her. 
Thorwj the my^t off Goddys gras, 
He gat upon the countas, 

Twoo knave chyJdren dere. 
That on was ffyfftene wyntyr old. 
That other thryttene, as men me told, 

In the world was non her pere ; 
Also whyt so lylye fflour, 
Red as rose off here colour, 

As bryjt as blosme on brere. 

Bothe the eerl and hys wyff, 
The kyng hem lovede as hys lyff, 

And here sones twoo; 
And offten sythe he gan hem calle, 
Bothe to boure and to halle, 

To counsayl whenne they scholde goo. 
That sere Wymound hadde gret envye. 
That eerl off Dover, wyttyrlye 

In herte he was fui woo ; 
He thowjte al for here sake, 
False lesyngis on hem to make, 

To don hem brenne and sloo. 



RSLIQUIJB ANTIQUJB. 87 

And thanne sere Wymound hym betho^te, 
Here love thus endure may nouje, 

Thorw} wurd oure werk may sprynge. 
He bad hys men maken hem jare, 
Unto Londone wolde he fare, 

To speke with the kynge. 
Whenne that he to Londone come, 
He mette with the kynge ful sone, 

He sayde, " welcome, my derelyng !" 
The kyng hym fraynyd soone anon, 
Be what way he hadde i-gon, 

Withouten ony dwellyng:— 

" Come thou oujt be Cauntyrbery, 
There the clerkys syngen mery, 

Bothe erly and late] 
Hou faryth that noble clerk, 
That mekyl can on Goddys werk, 

Knowest thou ou3t hys state ? 
And come thou oujt be the eerl off Stane, 
That wurthy lord in hys wane, 

Wente thou ou3t that gate? 
Hou fares that noble kny3t, 
And hys sones fayr and bry3t, 

My sustyr^iffthat thou wate!" 

" Sere," thanne he sayde, " withouten les, 
Be Cauntyrbery my way I ches, 

There spak I with that dere ; 
Ry3t weel he gretes thee that noble clerk, 
That mykyl can off Goddys werk, 

In the world is non hys pere. 
And also be Stane my way I drow3, 
With Egeland I spak i-now3, 

And with the countesse so clere ; 
They fare weel, is nou3t to layne, 
And bothe here sones," — The kyng was frayne, 

And in hys herte made glad chere. 

" Sere kyng," he sayde, " jifF it be thi wille, 
To chaumbyr that thou woldest wenden tylle, 

Counsayl for to here, 
I schal the telle swete tydande, 
Ther comen never non m this lande, 

Off all this hundryd 3ere." 
The kyngis herte than was ml woo, 
"With that traytour for to goo, 



98 BKLIQUI* AMTIQUA. 

They wente bothe forth in ffere ; 
And whenne that they were the chaumbyr withinne, 
FaUe lesyngs he gan begynne, 

On hys weddyd brothyr dere. 

" Sere kyng," he sayde " woo were me, 
Ded that I scholde see the, 

So moot I have my lyff ! 
For, by hym that al thys world wan ! 
Thou hast makyd me a man, 

And i-holpe me ffor to thryff. 
For in thy land, sere, is a fals traytour, 
He wol doo the mykyl dyshonour, 

And brynge the on ly ve. 
He wole deposen the slyly, 
Sodaynly than schalt thou dy, 

Be Crystys woundys fly ve !" 

Thenne sayde the kyng, " so moot thou the ! 
Knowe I that man and I hym see? 

His name thou me telle." 
" Nay," says that traytour, " that wole I noujt, 
For al the gold that evre was wroujt, 

Be masse book and belle, 
But jiff thou me thy trowthe wil plyjt, 
That thou schalt nevere bewreye the knyjt 

That the the tale schall telle." 
Thanne the kyng hys hand up raujte, 
That ffalse man his trowthe be-taujte, 

He was a devyl off helle. 

" Sere kyng," he sayde, " thou madyst me knijt, 
And now thou hast thy trowthe me ply3t, 

Oure counsayl for to layne. 
Sertaynly it is non othir, 
But Egelane thy weddyd brothir, 

He wolde that thou were slayne. 
He dos thy sustyr to undyrstande, 
He wole be kyng off thy lande, 

And thus he begynnes here trayn. 
He wole the poysoun ryjt slyly, 
Sodaynly thanne schalt thou dy, 

Be hym that suffryd payne !" 

Thanne swoor the kyng be cros and roode, 
" Meete ne drynk schal do me goode, 
Tyl that he be dede. 



RELIQTJIiB ANTIQUJE. 89 



Bothe he and hys wyff, hys soones twoo, 
Schole they nevere be no moo 

In Vngelond on that stede." 
" Nay," says the tray tour, "so moot I the! 
Ded wole I noujt my brothir se, 

But do thy beste rede." 
No longere there then wolde he lende, 
He takes hys leve, to Dovere gan wende, 

God geve hym schame and dede ! 

Now is that traytour horn i-went : 
A messangere was afflyr sent, 

To speke with the kyng. 
I wene he bar his owne name, 
He was hoten Athelstane, 

He was foundelyng. 
The lettrys were i-maad fullyche thare, 
Unto Stane for to ffare, 

Withouten ony dwellyng, 
To ffette the eerl and his sones twoo, 
And the countasse alsoo, 

Dame Edyve, that swete thyng. 

And in the lettre $\t was it tolde, 
That the kyng the eerlys sones wolde 

Make hem bothe knyjt* 
And therto his seel he sette ; 
The messanger wolde nou^t lette, 

The way he rydes ful ryjt. 
The messanger, the noble men, 
Takes hys horse and forth he wan, 

And hyes a ful good spede. 
The eerl in hys halle he fande, 
He took hym the lettere in his hande, 

Anon he bad hym rede. 
" Sere," he sayde al so swythe, 
" This lettre oujte to make the blythe, 

Thertoo thou take good hede. 

" The kyng wole for the cuntas sake, 
Bothe thy sones knyjtes make, 

To London I rede the spede. 
The kyng wole for the cuntas sake, 
Bothe thy sones knyjtes make, 

The blythere thou may be. 
Thy ffayre wyff wyth the thou bryng, 
And ther be ryjt no lettyng, 

Xj. II. N 



90 RELIQUIiE ANTIQUE. 

That syjte that sche may see." 
Thenne sayde that eerl with herte mylde, 
" My wyn goth ryjt gret wyth chyJde, 

And for-thynkes me, 
Sche may nowjt out off chaumbyr wyn, 
To speke with non ende of here kyn, 

Tyl sche delyvryd be." 

But into chaumbyr they gunne wende, 
To rede the lettrys before that hende, 

And tydynges tolde here soone. 
Then sayde the cuntasse, " so moot I the ! 
I wil nou3t lette tyl I there be, 

To morwen or it be noone. 
To see hem knyjtis my sones ffre, 
I wole nou3t lette tyl I there be, 

I schal no lengere dwelle. 
Cryst for jelde my lord the kyng, 
That has grauntyd hem here dubbyng 1 

Myn herte ys gladdyd welle." 

The eerl hys men bad make hem jare, 
He and hys wyff fforth gunne they far, 

To London ffaste they wente. 
At Westemynster was the kyngys wone, 
Ther they mette wyth Athelstone, 

That afFtyr nem hadde sente. 

The good eerl soone was hent, 
And fetryd faste verayment, 

And hys sones twoo. 
Ful lowde the countasse gan to crye, 
And sayde, " goode brothyr, mercy! 

Why wole $e us sloo 1 
What have we ajens 30W done, 
That 3e wole have us ded so soone 1 

Me thynkith 3c arn oure ffoo." 
The kyng as wood ferde in that stede, 
He garte hys sustyr to pry sun lede, 

In herte he was ful woo. 

Then a squyer was the countasses ffrende, 
To the quene he gan wende, 

And ty dyngis tolde here soone. 
Gerlondes off chyryes off sche caste, 
Into the halle sche come at the laste, 

Long or it were noone ; 
" Sere kyng, I am before the come, 



RBLIQUIJB ANTIQUE. 91 



With a chyld doujter or a sone, 

Graunte me my bone. 
My brothir and sustyr that I may borwe, 
Tyl the nexte day at morwe, 

Out off here paynys stronge; 
That we mowe wete be comoun sent, 
In the playne parlement, 



" Dame," he sayde, "goo fFro me, 
Thy bone schal noujt grauntyd be, 

I do the to undyrstande. 
For, be hym that weres the crowne of thorn ! 
They schole be drawen and hangyd to-morn, 

Jiff I be kyng off lande." 

And whenne the qwene these wurdes herde, 
As sche hadde be beten with jerde, 

The teeres sche leet doun falle. 
Sertaynly, as I jow tell, 
On her bare knees doun sche felle, 

And prayde jit for hem alle. 
" A ! dame !" he sayde verrayment, 
**Hast thou broke my comaundement, 

Abyyd ful dere thou schalle !" 
With hys foot, he wolde noujt wonde, 
He slowj the chyld ryjt in her wombe, 

Sche swownyd amonges hem alle. 

ILadyys and maydenys that there were, 
The qwene to here chaumbyr bere, 

And there was dool i-nowj ; 
Soone wythinne a lytyl spase, 
A knave chyld i-born there wase, 

• As bryjht as blosme on bowj ; 
He was bothe whyt and red, 
Off that dynt was he ded, 

Hys owne fadyr hym slowj ; 
Thus may a traytour baret rayse, 
And make manye men ful evele at ayse, 

Hym selff nowjht afftyr it lowj. 

But jit tho qwene, as je schole here, 
Sche callyd upon a messangere, 

Bad hym a lettre ffonge ; 
And bad hym wende to Cauntyrbery, 
There the clerkys syngen mery, 

Bothe masse and even-songe. 



" This letlre tliou the bysschop take, 
And praye hym for Goddys sake, 

Come borowe hem out off here bande; 
He wole doo more for hym, I wene, 
Thanne for me thowj I be qwene, 

I doo the to imdyrstande. 

An eerldom in Spayne I have of land, 
Al I sese into thyn hand, 

Trewely as I the hy3t ; 
An hundred besauntys off gold red, 
Thou may save hefh from the ded, 

Jiff that thyu hors be wyjt." 
" Madame, brouke weel thy moreyeve. 
Also longe os thou may leve, 

Therto have I no ryjt; 
But off thy gold and off thy ffee 
Cryst in hevene for-jelde it the, 

I wolle be there to nyjt. 
Madame, thrytly mylesoff hard way, 
I have reden sith it was day, 

Full sore I gan me swynke, 
And ffor to ryde now ffyve and twenti therel 
An hard thyng it were to doo, 

For sothe ryjt as me thynke. 
Madam, tt is ner hand passyd prime, 
And me behoves al for to dyne, 

Bothe wyn and ale to drynke ; 
Whenne I have dynyd thenne wole I fare, 
God may covere hem off here care, 

Or that I slepe a wynke." 
Whenne he hadde dynyd he wente his way, 
Al so faste as that he may, 

He rod be Charynge Cros, 
And entryd into Flete strete. 
And sethlhyn thorwj Londone, I jow hetg, 

Upon a noble hors. 
The messanger, that noble man, 
On Londone brygge sone he wan, 

For his traveyle he hadde no los. 
From Stone into Steppyng-bourne, 
For sothe his way wolde he nowjt tourne, 

Sparyd lie noujt for myre ne mos. 
And thus hys way wendes he, 
Fro Osprynge to the Blee, 

Thenne myjt he see the toun 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUJE, 93 

Oif Cauntyrbery, that noble wyke, 
Therin lay that bysschopryke, 

That lord of gret renoun ; 
And whenne they rungen undern belle, 
He was in Londone, I 30W telle, 

He was nouer redy ; 
And jit to Cauntyrbery he wan, 
Longe or evensonge began 

He rod mylys ffyffty. 

The messanger no thyng abod, 
Into the palays forth he rod, 

There that the bysschop was inne ; 
Ryjt welcome was the messanger, 
That was come from the quewne so cleer, 

Was of so noble kynne. 
He took hym a lettre ful good speed, 
And sayde, "sere bysschop, have this and reed," 

And bad hym come with hym ; 
Or he the lettre hadde halff i-redde, 
For dool hym thow^te hys herte blede, 

The teeres nyl ovyr hys chyn. 

The bisschop bad sadele hys palfray, 
Also naste as thay may, 

" Bydde my men make hem jare, 
And wendes before," the bysschop dede say, 
i€ To my maneres in the way, 

For no thyng that je spare ; 
And loke at ylke ffy ve mylys ende, 
A ffresch hors that I ffynde* 

Schod and no thyng bore ; 
Blythe schal I nevere be, 
Tyl I my weddyd brothir see, 

To kevre hym out off care." 

On nyne palfrays the bisschop sprong, 
Ar it was day from evensong, 

In Romaunce as we rede ; 
Certaynly, as I 30W telle, 
On Londone brygge ded down felle 

The messangeres stede. 
" Alias !" he sayde, " that I was born, 
Now is my good hors forlorn, 

Was good at ylke a need ; 
3isterday upon the grounde, 
He was wurth an hundryd pounde, 

Ony kyng to lede." 



94 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJE. 

Thenne bespak the archebysschop, 
Oure goslly fadyr undyr God, 

Unto tbe messangere, 
" Lat be thy menyng offthy stede, 
And thynk upon oure mykyl nede, 

The whylys that we ben here ; 
For jiff that I may my brothir borwe, 
And bryngen hym out off mekyl sorwe, 

Thou may make glad cnere ; 
And thy warysoun I schal the geve, 
And God have grauntyd the to leve 

Unto an hundryd jere." 

The bysschop thenne noujt ne bod, 
He took hys hors and forth he rod, 

Into Westemynstyr so lyjt, 
The messanger on his ffoot alsoo ; 
With the bysschop come no moo, 

Notner squyre ne knyjt, 
Upon the morwen the kyng aros, 
And takes the way to the kyrke he gos, 

As man of mekyl myjt ; 
With him wente bothe preest and clerk, 
That mykyl cowde off Goddys werk, 

To praye God for the ryjt. 

Whenne that he to the kyrke come, 
To-ffore the rode he knelyd anon, 

And on hys knees he felle : 
" God, that syt in trynyte, 
A bone that thou graunte me, 

Lord ! as thou harewyd helle ; 
Gyltles men jiff they he 
That are in my presoun ffree, 

For cursyd there to jelle, 
Off the gylt and they be clene, 
Lene it moot on hem be sene, 

That garte hem there to dwelle." 

And whenne he hadde maad hys pryer, 
He lokyd up into the qweer, 

The erchebysschop sawe he stande ; 
He was for wondryd off that caas, 
And to hym he wente apas, 

And took hym be the hande, 
" Welcome/' he sayde, " thou erchebysschop, 
Oure gostly fadyr undyr God," 

He swoor be God levande, — 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUJE. 95 

t€ Weddyd brothir, weel moot thou spede, 
For I hadde nevre so mekyl nede 
Sith I took cros on hande." 

" Good weddyd brothir, now turne thy rede, 
Doo not thyn owne blood to dede 

But jiff it wurthy were ; 
For hym that weres the corowne off thorn, 
Lett me borwe hem tyl to-morn, 

That we mowe enquere ; 
And weten alle be comoun asent, 
In the playne parlement, 

Who is wurthy be schout. 
And but jiff je wole graunt my bone, 
It schal us rewe both or none, 

Be God that alle thyng lent !" 

Thanne the kyng wax wrothe as wynde ; 
A wodere man myjte no man fynde, 

Than he began to be. 
He swoor be othys sunne and mone, 
" They schole be drawen and hangyd or none 

With eyen thou schalt see. 
Lay doun thy cros and thy staff, 
Thy mytyr and thy ryng that I the gaff, 

Out off my lande thou fflee : 
Hyje the faste out off my syjt, 
Where I the mete thy deth is dyjt, 

Non othir then schal it be." 

Thenne be-spak that erchebysschop, 
Oure gostly iadyr undyr God, 

Smertly to the kyng, 
" Weel I wot that thou me gaff 
Bothe the cros and the staff, 

The mytyr and eke the ryng. 
My bysschopryche thou reves me, 
And Crystendome forbede I the, 

Preest schal there non syngge ; 
Neyther maydyn chyld ne knave, 
Crystyndom schal ther non have, 

To care I schal the brynge. 

I schal gare crye thorwj ylke a toun, 
That krekys schole be broken doun, 

And stoken agayn with thorn. 
And thou schalt lygge in an old dyke, 
As it were an heretyke, 



KF.LIQVI.S ANTIQU*. 

Alias ! that thou were bora ! 
Jiff thou be ded that I may see, 
Asoylyd scholt thou nevre bee, 

Thanne is thy soule in sorwe. 
And I schal wende in uncouthe [lond], 
And gete me strange men of hond, 

My brothir jit schal I borwe. 
I schal brynge upon thy lond, 
Hungyr and thyrst ful strong, 

Cold, droujthe, andsorwe. 
I schal noujt leve on thy lond 
Wurth the gloves on thy hond. 

To begge nc to borwe." 

The bysschop has his leve tan, 
By that his men were comen ylkan. 

They sayden " sere, have good day !" 
He entryd into Flele strete, 
Wilh lordys of Yngelond gan he mete, 

Upon a nobyl ray ; 
On her knees they kneleden adoun, 
And prayden hym off hys benysoun ; 

He nykkyd hem with nay ; 
Neyther of cros neyther off ryng, 
Hadde they non kyns wetyng, 

And thanne a knyjt gan say : 

A knyjt thanne spak, with mylde voys, 

" Sere, where is thy ryng ) where is thy crov< ! 

Is it ffro the tan ] 
Thanne he saydc, " ^oure cursyd kyng 
Hath me refit off al my thyng. 

And off al my worldly wan ; 
And 1 have entyrdyted Yngelonde, 
Ther schal no preest synge masse with hond, 

Chyld scha! be crystenyd non ; 
But jiff he grauote me that knyjt, 
Hys wyff and chyldryn fayr and bryjt, 

"He wolde wyth wrong hem slon." 
The knyjt sayde, "bysschop, turne agayn. 
Off thy body we are ful fayn ; 

Thy brothir jit schole we borwe ; 
And but he graunte us oure bone, 
Hys presoun schal be broken soone, 

Hymselff to meky! sorwe. 
We schole drawe doun bothehalle and boures, 
Bothe hys castelles and hys toures, 



I* 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 97 

They schole ligge lowe and holewe ; 
Thowj he be kyng and were the coroun, 
We scholen hym sette in a deepe dunjoun, 

Oure Crystyndom we wole folewe. 

Thanne as they spoken off this thyng, 
Ther comen twoo kny3tes ffrom the kyng, 

And say den, " bysschop, abyde, 
And have thy cros and thy ryng, 
And welcome whyl that tnou wylt lyng; 

It is nou3t for to hyde. 
Here he grauntys the the knyjt, 
Hys wyff and chyldryn, fayr and bryjt, 

Agayn I rede thou ride ; 
He prayes the pour charyte, 
That he myjte asoylyd be, 

And Yngelond long and wyde." 

Hereoff the bysschop was fful ffayn, 
And turnys hys brydyl and wendes agayn, 

Barouns gunne with hym ryde 
Unto the brokene cros of ston, 
Thedyr com the kyng ful soone anon, 

And there he gan abyde ; 
Upon hys knees he knelyd a-doun, 
And prayde the bysschop off benysoun, 

And he gaff hym that tyde. 
With holy watyr and orysoun, 
He asoylyd the kyng that weryd the coroun, 

And Yngelond long and wyde. 

Then sayde the kyng anon Ty$t, 
" Here I graunte the that knyjt, 

And hys sones ffree, 
And my sustyr hende in halle, 
Thou hast savyd here lyvys alle, 

I-blessyd moot thou bee." 
Thenne sayde the bysschop al so soone, 
44 And I schal geven swylke a dome 

With eyen that thou schalt see ; 
Jiff thay be gylty of that dede, 
Sorrere the doome thay may drede, 

Than schewe here schame to me." 



Whanne the bysschop hadde sayde soo, 
A gret ffyr was maad ryjt thoo, 

In Romaunce as we rede ; 
It was set that men my^te knawe 

L. II. O 



98 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUE. 



Nyne plowj lengthe on rawe, 

As rede as ony glede. 
Thanne sayde the kyng " what may this mene 1 
" Sere, off gylt and thay be clene, 

This doom hem thar noujt drede!" 
Thanne sayde the good kyng Athelston, 
" An hard doome now is this on, 

God graunte us alle weel to spede !" 

They fetten forth sere Egelan, 
A trewere eerl was there nan, 

Before the ffyr so bryjt ; 
Ffrom hym they tokon the rede scarlet, 
Bothe hosyn and schoon that weren hym met 

That fel al ffor a knyjt. 
Nyne sythe the bysschop halewid the way, 
That his weddyd brothir scholde goo that day, 

To praye God for the ry$t. 
He was unblemyschyd ffoot and hand, 
That sawj the lordes off the land, 

And thankyd God off hys myjt. 
They offeryd hym with mylde chere 
Unto seynt Powlys hey^e awtere, 

That mykyl was off my3t. 
Down upon hys knees he felle, 
And thankyd God that harewede helle, 

And hys modyr so bryjt. 

And 3ft the bysschop tho gan say, 
Now schal the chyldryn gon the way 

That the fadyr jede, 
Ffro hym they tooke the rede scarlette, 
The hosen and schoon that weren hem mete, 

And al her worldly wede. 
The ffyr was bothe hydous and red, 
The chyldryn swownyd as they were ded, 

The bysschop tyl hem 3ede, 
With careful herte on hem gan look, 
Be hys hand he hem up took, 

" Chyldryn, have je no drede !" 

Thanne the chyldryn stood and lowj, 
" Sere, the fyr is cold i-nowj," — 

Thonv'30ut he went a pase. 
They weren unblemesshyd foot and hand ; 
That saw3 the lordys off the land, 

And thankyd God of his grace. 
They offeryd thanne wy th mylde chere 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUE. 99 

To seynt Poulys that hyje awtere, 

This myracle schewyd was there. 
And jit the bysschop efft gan say, 
" Now schal the countasse goo the way, 

There that the chyldryn were." 

They fetten forth the lady mylde, 
Sche was ful gret i-gon wyth chylde, 

In Romaunce as we rede ; 
Before the fyr when that sche come, 
To Jhesu Cryst she prayde a bone, 

That leet hys woundys blede, 
" Now God, lat nevre the kyngys foo 
Quyk out off the ffyr goo !" 

Theroff hadde sche no drede; 
Whenne sche hadde maad her pryer, 
Sche was broujt before the ffeer, 

That brennyd bothe fayr and bryjt. 

Sche wente ffro the lengthe into the thrydde, 
Stylle sche stood the ffyr amydde, 

And callyd it merye and bryjt. 
Harde schowrys thenne tooke here stronge, 
Both in bak and eke in wombe, 

And sith then it ffel at syjt. 
Whenne that here paynys slakyd was, 
And sche hadde passyd that hydous pas, 

Here nose barst on bloode ; 
Sche was unblemeschyd ffoot and hand, 
That sawj the lordys off the lande, 

And thankyd God on rode. 

They comaundyd men here away to drawe, 
As it was the landys lawe, 

And ladyys than tyl here jode. 
Sche knelyd down upon the grounde, 
And there was born seynt Edemound, 

I-blessyd be that ffoode ! 
And whanne this chyld i-born was, 
It was broujt into the plas, 

And was bothe hool and sound ; 
Bothe the kyng and bysschop ffree, 
They crystnyd the chyld that men myjt see, 

And callyd it Edemound ; 
u Halff my land, " he sayde, " I the geve, 
Also longe as I may leve, 

With markys and with pounde, 
And al afftyr my dede, 



100 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 

Yngelond to wysse and rede." 

Now i-blessyd be that stounde ! 

Thenne sayde the bysschop to the kyng, 
" Sere, who made this gret lesyng ? 

And who wroujte al this bale ]" 
Thanne sayde the kynge, " so moot I thee, 
That schalt thou nevere wete for me, 

In burgh neyther in sale, 
For I have sworn by seynt Anne, 
That I schal nevere bewreye that manne, 

That me gan telle that tale ; 
Thej r am savyd thorwj thy red, 
Now lat al this be ded, 

And kepe this counseyl hale." 

Thenne swoor the bysschop " so moot I the ! 
Now I have power and dignyte, 

For to asoyle the as clene 
As thou were hoven off the fount ston, 
Trustly trowe thou ther upon, 

And holde it for no wene. 
I swere bothe be book and belle, 
But jiff thou me his name telle, 

The ryjt doom schal I deme, 
Thy selff schalt goo the ryjt way, 
That thy brother wente to-day, 

Thouj it the evele beseme." 

Thenne sayde the kyng, " so moot I the ! 
Be schryffte off mouthe telle I it the, 

Therto I am unbly ve ; 
Certaynly it is non othir 
But Wymound owre weddyd brothir, 

He wole nevere thryve." 
" Alias," sayde the bysschop than, 
" I wende he were the treweste man 

That evere jit levyd on ly ve ; 
And he with this ateynt may be, 
He schal be hongyd on trees three, 

And drawen with hors ffyve." 

And whenne that the bysschop the sothe bade, 
That that traytour that lesyng made, 

He callyd a messangere, 
And hym to Dovre that he scholde founde, 
Ffor to fette that eerl Wymound, 

That traytour has no pere. 



RELIQUIjE antique. 101 



t 



" Sere Egelane and hys sones be slawe, 
Bothe i-hangyd and to-drawe, 

Doo as I the lere, 
The countasse is in presoun done, 
Schal sche nevere out off presoun come 

But jiff it be on bere." 

Now with the messanger was no badde, 
He took his hors as the bysschop radde, 

To Dovre tyl that he come ; 
The eerl in hys hall he ffand, 
He took hym the lettre in his hand, 

On hyj wolde he noujt wone ; 
" Sere Egelane and his sones be slawe, 
Bothe i-hangyd and to-drawe, 

Thou getyst that eerldome : 
The countasse is in presoun done, 
Schal sche nevre more out come, 

Ne see neyther sunne ne mone." 

Thanne that eerl made hym glade, 
And thankyd God that lesyng was made, 

" It hath gete me this eerldome." 
He sayde, " ffelawe, ryjt weel thou bee ! 
Have here besauntys good plente, 

Ffor thyn hedyr come." 
Thanne the messanger made is mon, 
" Sere, off joure goode hors lende me on, 

Now graunte me my bone ; 
Ffor jystyrday deyde my nobyl stede, 
On joure arende as I jede 

Be the way as I come." 

" Myn hors be fatte and corn fed, 
And off thy lyff I am a dred," 

That eerl sayde to hym than ; 
" Thanne jiff myn hors scholde the sloo, 
My lord, the kyng, wolde be ful woo, 

To lese swylk a man." 
The messanger jit he broujte a stede, 
On off the beste at ylke a nede 

That evere on grounde dede gange, 
Sadelyd and brydelyd at the beste; 
The messanger was ful preste, 

Wyjtly on hym he sprange. 

" Sere," he sayde, " have good day ! 
Thou schalt come when thou may, 



1 



102 RELIQUIjE ANTIQUJB. 

I schal make the kynge at hande." 
Wyth sporys faste he strook the stede, 
To Gravysende he come good spede, 

Is ffourty myle to ffande. 

There the messanger the traytour abood, 
And seththyn bothe in same they rod, 

To Westemynstyr wone ; 
In the palays there thay lyat, 
Into the halle they come ml ry^t, 

And mette with Athelstone. 
He wolde have kyssyd his lord swete : 
He sayde, "traytour, noujt jit lete, 

Be God and be seynt Jhon ! 
Ffor thy falsnesse and thy lesyng, 
I slowj myn heyr scholde have ben kyng 

Whenne my lyf hadde ben gon." 

There he denyyd faste the kyng, 
That he made nevere that lesyng, 

Among hys peres alle ; 
The bysschop has hym be the hand tan, 
Fforth in same they are gan 

Into the wyde halle, 
Myjte he nevere wyth crafft ne gynne, 
Gare hym schryven off hys synne, 

Ffor noujt that myjt befalle. 

Thenne sayde the goode kyng Athelston, 
" Let hym to the ffyr gon, 

To preve the trewethe in dede." 
Whenne the kyng hadde sayd soo, 
A gret ffyr was maad thoo, 

In Romaunce as we rede ; 
It was set, that men my 3 ten knawe, 
Nyne plow3 lenge on rawe, 

As rede as ony glede ; 
Nyne sythis the bysschop halewes the way, 
That that traytour schole goo that day, 

The wers hym gan to spede. 

He wente ffro the lengthe into the thrydde, 
And there he ffel the ffyre amydde, 

Hys eyen wolde hym noujt lede. 
Than the eerlys chyldryn were war ful smerte, 
And wyjtiy to the traytour sterte, 

And out off the ffyr hym hade, 
And sworen bothe by book and belle, 



REMQUlJE ANTIQUjE. 

' Or that thou deye thou schalt telle, 
Why thou that lesyng made." 
Sertayn I can non othir rede, 
'ow I wot I am but dede, 

I telle jow 110 thyng gladde ; 
■tayn there was non othir wyte, 
lovyd hym to mekyl and me to lyte, 
TherfFore envye I hadde." 
henne that traytour so hadde sayde, 
! goode hors to hym were tayde, 
That alle myjton see with yje; 
drowen hym thorw^ like a strete, 
aelhthyn to the clmes, I jow hete, | 
And hongyd hym ful hy$e. 
as ther nevere man so hardy, 
.1 durste ffulle hya ffalse body, 
This hadde he ffor hys lye. 
:ow Jhesu that is hevene kyng, 
Leve nevere traytour have betere endyng, 
But swych dome ffor to dye ! 
Explicit. 

The MS. which contain? the foregoing romance appears I 
writlen about the middle of the fourteenth century. 



,ATIN POEM ON THE WONDERS OF IRELAND. 

From MS. Cotton. Titus, D. niv. fol. 74, V, of the thirteenth century. 
It is the concluding portion of a poem attributed in the MS. to St. Patrick, flAUf '" 
"this it of course altogether fiinci ful. h *fJ^ /' 

De Rebus Hihernice Admirandis. y - 

His ita prodigiis signisque per omnia dictis, 
Nunc quoque describam patriae iiiiraculn nostras 
Nomine qttte proprto vocitalur Hibernia cunctis. 

Finibus in nostris famosa est insula parva, 
Qua? satis exanimes corruptos impedit esse 
Vel putridos tabo, carnem sic efficit omnem ; 
Illic ceruit awrit quisquam retinerc figuram, 
Cujus ibi crescunt ungut'S simul atque capilli. 

Terraque nostra tenet stngnum quod continet islam f 
Vim, qua ligna solent lapides mox esse sub undis, 
Post tamen armorum ecu dicunt (empora septem. 

Est aliud stagnum cui fons quoque mirus adhteret, 
Quinque pedum spatio tatitum qui distat ab illo, 



',? 



104 REUQUIJl ANTIQCA. 

Sive igitur crescat de largis imbribus illud, 

Seu ni in io fervore magis decrescat, habebit 

Quinque pedum spacium semper distantia tantum. J 

Ccrnitur a inultis alius fons more probatus, ^ 
Qui facit ut dicunt canos mox esse capillos. ' 

Fons alius si tactus erit vel visus ab ullo, -j * 
„ * ■ ^ 1 ,'Efficit ingentes pluvias quas funderfe caelum "" ' 
r ' Non cessat, si non oblatio sacra repellat. 

Fons est si verum cernentis tempora signans, 
Nam salit eructans cum signat tempora longa, 
At silet attestans cernentem mox moriturum. 
-* Fons est dulcis aquae constans in vertice mentis, 

' / More maris retinens accessum sive recessum. 

Dicunt esse duos fontes contraria agentes; * 

- Alter namque necem potatus perpetrat, alter ,^v. * s 

Non aufert vitam, neuter cognoscitur ullo, 
Tangere non audent iccirco utrumque periti. 

Proximus esse mari modicus quoque fertur acervus, 
I' fffi 4o y ^ am ^ a pi^ um quiddam mirabile quique ministrat, 

'/ 7 Non magis apparens fluctu fugiente marino, 
a Quain soli to cursu quando mare littora replet, 

Occultante mari illic quae magis alta videntur. 

Est aliquod saxum mirabile, namque repente / 

j Q Si fuerit virga percussuni, suscitat imbres, ' .' 

In quo tempestas oritur sequiturque caligo. 

Antea Temoriam sedem rex quisque tenebat 
Scottorum, fuerant ubi tres res maxime mirse ; 
Nam lapis, atque puer parvus, nanique sepulcrum. 
H Nam lapis ut fertur calcatus rege sonabat, 

Jam rugiens, prolem genuit septennis et ille 
Parvulus, ac lectus nunciatur ad omnibus aeque 
Quinque pedum spacio, brevior non addidit unquam, 
Quem numerum fuerat qui non majore minutus. 

Ilia nimis miranda quidem piscina, leprosos 
Quae facit intrantes omnes se illicque lavantes, ; *■*"* 

IP Est tamen haec eadem non noxia parte sequente, 

Quae solito cursu petit ac sic intrat in ipsam, ^N ; 

Inter utranque tamen partem distantia parva - 

Esse pedum spacio binorum pene videtur. 

Continet haec hominis cujusdam terra sepulcrum 
Foemineas turbas fallentis more doloso, . ^ | 

Ille etenim numerum ingentem violavit earum : 
Fine tamen fuerat felici crimina deflens : * 

Ergo modo miro mulier, si viderit illud, > * 

Pedere vel ridere solet cernendo sepulcrum, 
Dormine jam resonat quod si non rideat ilia. 



RELIQUIiB ANTIQUE. 105 

De infantibus sanctum Patridum invocantibus. 

Ex utero matris quondam sunt ista locuti 
Infantes, " Nos sancte veni Patrici bene salva." 

De Sancto Kienano* 

Sanctus in hac patria quidam vir nomine Kyenan . r*^ 

Permanet incorruptus, habens nunc integra membra, > i I ** 
Mortuus ante tamen quingentos circiter annos, 
Ejusdemque loci defuncti quique putrescunt. 

De hominibus qui se vertunt in lupos. 

Sunt homines quidam Scottorum gentis habentes /i'" v /',/<? 

Miram naturam majorum ab origine ductam, / 

Qua cito quando volunt ipsos se vertere possunt 

Nequiter4n formas lacerantum dente luporum, 

Unde videntur oves occidere saepe gementes ; 

Sed cum clamor eos hominum seu cursus eorum 

Fustibus aut armis terret, fugiendo recurrunt. Ia 

Cum tamen hoc faciunt sua corpora vera relinquunt, / 

Atque suis mandant ne quisquam moverit ilia ; 

Si sic eveniat, nee ad ilia redire valebunt. 

Si quid eos lsedat, penetrent si vulnera quseque, 

Vere in corporibus semper cernuntur eorum. 

Sic caro cruda hserens in veri corporis ore, 

Cernitur a sociis, quod nos miramur et omnes. 

De homine decollate capite mi. annos vivente, 

Decollatus erat quidam languore doloris, ^ .- . / ■' 

Postea septenos fertur vixisse per annos, 
Gutture namque miser poscebat aperto alimentum. l 

De muliere cum corpore a dcemonibus rapta. 

Hsec res mira solet numero celebrantibus addi : 
Vir bonus et Verax aliquid mirabile vidit ; 
Quodam namque die volucres in flumine cernens, 
Projiciens lapidem percussit vulnere cignum, \ 

Prendere quern cupiens tunc protinus ille cucurrit ; t ,., 

Sed properante viro, mire est ibi foemina visa, 
Quam stupido visu aspiciens, heec quserit ab ilia, 
Unde fuit 1 quid ei accidit 1 aut quo tempore venit ? 
Haec, " infirma fui, M inquit ei, " et tunc proxima morti, 
Atque putata meis sum quod defuncta videbar, 
Dsemonibus sed rapta fui cum carne repente." 
Hanc vix credibilem rem tunc audivit ab ilia, 
Quam secum ducens satiavit veste ciboque, 
Tradidit atque suis credentibus esse sepultam, 
Qui quod erat factum vix credere jam potuerunt. 

L. II- P 



106 BELIQrii ANTIQUE. 



De nari qua visa est in aere. J 

Rf'\ f jit in theatro Scottorum tempore quodam ; ' 
TurLis cum variis, cum milibus ordine pulcris, ^ 

/q Kerr; rcpente vident decurrere in aere navim. 

J De qua post pisceni tunc unus jecerat hastam, ; r A 

<lu& ruit in tc-rrani, quam natans Hie retraxit. ./* 

Ista quis auditurus erit sine laude tonantis 1 V-^ 

De muliere elemosinam in Hibernia agenie. 

Martini quidam peregrinus venit ad urbem, 
Cuju< erat genitrix propria regione relicta, 
Predict i in fcria qua? inopes satiare solebat. 
I lie igitur matrcm vidit tunc tradere camem * 

« Pauperibus cum lacte bono, sed vasis aperte *\\> 

Abstulit occulte mirans et traxit operculum; t 

Postea sed rediens matri monstraverat illud. 
Protimis ergo videns, recolit ; sed quaerit ab illo 
Undo habuit, qui dixit ei, " tua teque videbam 
Munera in urbe viri Martini scilicet alrai, 
Orte corporcis oculis in luce diei." 
Quod multum miratur anus, miratur et ille. 
E-t celfibranda piis haec res quae mira videtur, 
Exemplumque bonum, quia verum est, tempore longo. 

De insula quadam satis admiranda. 

f Est quoque in hac patria mirabilis insula parva, 

'h'*'9 "* f ' Quam fugiunt omnes volucres, nee adire volentes 

Fceminci generis, nequeunt quia tangere terram . 

Sanctam, seu frondes, sexus sed visitat alter, 

In qua more hominum est, avium divisio mira, 

Illic nemo mori peccator seu sepeliri ,\f,^ 

C^uit, soli sed rite viri qui ascendere possit * 

Ad coclum, exemplis multis quod saepe probatur. 

De molendino die dominico non molente nisi necessit 
m .. hospitis t furtumquerespuente. 

** n > J Eccc molendinum his mirum in regionibus extat; 

Namque die Domini nulla vi posse moveri 
. . Dicitur excepto spacio cum venerit hospes, 

/■' h Tunc id enim vertit pistrinum saepe molare, 

Cursus aquae retrahens, aliter tunc posse negatur, 
Pnetcroa furtum semper bene respuit, illud 
Nil molit en etenim cui furti crimen adhaeret. 

l>t> De ipsa Hibernia in qua non vivunt serpentes. 

7 JL kk(> Insula serpentem nullum jam continet ista, 

* . I *f • ^ ' Quam patriam Scotti certe cernuntur habere ; 

si 



*/ 






.-- v\ 



j v . . * • rt 



RELIQUIiE ANTIQUjE. 107 

Sed certe moritur mox sin aliunde feratur. ., 

Nee ranas, nullasque feras de more nocentis, p . ^ * 

Vulpibus atque lupis exceptis, gignit alitve. f?i' n ■ '/ 7 7i y*^' 

De lapide sanguinem aliquando fluente. 

Sancti in sede lapis cujusdam mirus habetur, a J. 

* Sanguine saepe fluens, rubrum fundensque cruorem, / ; 
Cum locus ille viris certe spoliatur iniquis. 

Defonte qui mutat fraocineam virgam in nuceam. 

Quidam fons mutat virgarum saepe virentum A. 

Naturam, ceu fama est, quae merguntur in illo ; 
Nam qui fraxineam virgam modo mittit in ilium, 
Is nuceam mire paulo post abstrahit illo. 

De eo quod extinguit flammam labiis el lingua. 

Ecclesise princeps cujusdam tempore semper 
Natalis Domini, quiddam mirabile monstrat, 
Magnam nam labiis et lingua extinguere flammam 
Cernitur a populo stupido spectante lucernse, 
In nullo laesus tamen igne pyramidis alto. 
Sanctus namque suis Colmanus jussit amicis, 
Hoc semper fieri rairum indubitabile verum ; 
Donee namque poli numerentur sidera summi, 
Quis numerare potest sanctorum facta virorum 
Mira, Deus gentem per quos salvaverat istam. 

De admiratione Dei. 

Qui magis est mirus mirandis omnibus istis, 
In numeris non mille modis quibus omnibus unus 
Cuncta satis superat certe miracula nostra, 
Scilicet angelicis quod tam videatur acutis 
Agminibus mirus Deus, ut post milia multa 
Non minus annorum, mirentur, ament, et adorent, 
Quam cum principio coeperunt cernere primo. 
Nam coecus assiduo posset vilescere visu. 
Quid magis hoc mirum vel mirum aequale videtur. 
Gloria sit patri, domino quoque gloria Christo, 
Gloria spiritui sancto, per saecula cuncta ! Amen. 

Wrt. 

VERSES ON THE WREN. 

Inserted in Walter de Bibblesworth, MS. Arundel, No. 220, fol. 301 v°. 

Levere is the wrenne, 
Abouten the schowe renne, 
Than the fithel draut, 
Other the floute craf. 

Wrt. 



106 RELIQUIJB ANTIQUJt. 

SYR PENY. 

From MS. Moore, 147, in the Library of Cains College, Cambridge, writ 
on vellum and paper, in the fifteenth century. Communicated by the B 
J.J. Smith, Fellow and Tutor of Gonyille and Cains College* Another « 
of the same ballad is printed in Ritson's Pieces of Popular Poetry, tea 
edition, and in the appendix to Walter Mapes. 

In erth there ys a lityll thyng, 
That reynes as a grete kyng 

There he is knowen in londe; 
Peny is hys name callydde, 
Ffor he makyth both yong and olde 

To bowe unto hys hande. 

Pope, kyng, and emperoure, 
Byschope, abbot, and prioure, 

Parson, preste, and knyjt, 
Duke, erle, and baron, 
To serve syr Peny are they boen, 

Both be day and ny$th. 

Peny chaungeth ofte menys mode, 
And garreth them do of ther hode 

And ryse hym ageyn ; 
Men doth hym all obedyens, 
And full grete reverens, 

That lytyll roende swayn. 

In a courte hit is no bote 
Ageyn syr Peny for to mote, 

Ffor hys mekyll my3th ; 
He is so wyse and so strange, 
Were hit never so mekyll wrang, • 

He wyll make hit ry3th. 

With Peny men may women tyll, 
Be they never so strong of wyll, 

So ofte hyt may be sene, 
Ageyn hym they wyll not chyde, 
Ffor he may gar them trayle syde 

In burnet and in grene. 

When Peny begynnys to spelle, 

He makyth them meke that are were fell, 

Ffull ofte hit is i-sene ; 
The nedes are fulle pone spedde, 
Both without borow or wedde^ 

There Peny goeth betwene. 



HELIQUIJB ANT1QUJE. 109 

Peny may be both hevyn and helle, 
And alle thyng that is to selle, 

In erth hath he that grace ; 
Ffor he may both lose and bynde, 
The pore is ay set behynde, 

There Peny comes in place. 

Peny is set on hye dese, 
And servd at the best messe, 

• And the hygh borde; 
Men honoure hym as a man, 
Iff he litell gode can, 

3yt he is in horde. 

Peny doth jyt well mare, 

He makyth men have moch care, 

Hym to gete and wynne ; 
He garrith men be forsworen, 
Soule and lyfe be forloren, 

Ffor covetyse of syn. 

The dede that Peny wyll have done, 
Without let hy t spedys sone 

At his owen wylle. 
Peny may both rede and gyffe, 
He may gar fle, he may gar lyfe, 

Both gode and ylle. 

Be he nevyr so Strang a thefe, 
Peny, that is man fulle lefe, 
May borowe hym to lyfe ; 
Peny is a gode felowe, 
Both with hygh and with lowe, 

* And councell for to gyffe. 

He is a redy massyngere, 
When he comes far or nere ; 

An erande for to do, 
Come he erly or late, 
Hym is warned nor dore ne jate, 

That he comes onto. 

Other thyng wylle they not have, 
But that lityll roende knave, 
That coveyteth ech man. 

Peny hath do alle treson, 
Both in cite and in toen, 
In castelle and in coure. 



110 RELIQUIAE antique. 

When Peny comyth with schylde and spere, 
He wynnys the gre in ylke a were, 
And in ylke a boure. 

With reson may ye wele se, 
That Peny wyll mayster be, 

Prove nowe man of mode ; 
Peny rydys troen be troen, 
Ovyr all in ylke a toen, 

On land and eke on flode. 

He makyth the fals to be soende, 
And ryght puttys to the grounde, 

And fals lawys ryse. 
This may ye find yf ye wyll loke, 
Wretyn ill without the boke, 

Ryght on this wyse. 

Explicit de Dynario yhe magistro. 



RIDDLES. 

From MS. More 71, Caius College, Cambridge, of the fourteenth century. 

Arbor inest silvis, quae scribitur octo figuris ; 
Inde tribus demptis, unam vix inde videbis. 

Ligneus est lectus, nullo tamen arbore sectus : 
Solvere qui poterit solvat, et ejus erit. 

Est animal parvum, quod semper pascit in arvum ; 
Si convertatur, tunc quadrupes inde ligatur. 

Hie non introeas nisi quse sunt hsec tria dicas . 
Qui facit et non fit, facit et fit, non facit et fit. 



PROVERBS. 

From the copy of the first edition of Caxton's Chancer in the British 
Museum, written by an early possessor of the volume. 

A womon is lesse pittefulie than a man; more envious then 
a sarpent ; mor malysceous then a tyrante ; and more deceyt- 
fulle then the devylle. 

Blyndnes wyth the mystes of jugemente dymeth the knoledge 
of reson. 



t 

J REUQUliE ANTIQUE. Ill 

■r- More afvayleth example then wordes; and muche better be 
7 men toght by doing, then they ar by speking. 

Better is a good nam then abundaunce of riches ; for good 
estymacyon surmottethe alle tressurs. 

Envy is blind and canne do nothinge, but desprays ver- 
tewe ; it is a scabbe of this world to have envy at vartew. 

Frindes in advercetie ar a refuge; and in prosperitie a 
pleasour and delight, to commynicat our pleassurs with alle 
together. 

mm. 



A SERMON BEFORE THIEVES. 

From MS. Cotton. Vespas. A. xxv. fol. 53, written in or soon after 1573. 

A Sermon of parson Hyberdyne, which he made att the 
commandemenie of certen theves after thay had robbed hym 
besyde Hartlerowe in Hamshyer in the feldes ther standinge 
upon a hyll, where as a wynde my 11 had bene, in the presens of 
the theves that robbed hym, as followithe. 

The Sermon as followethe. 

I greatly mervell that any man wyll presume to dysprase 
theverie, and thynke the dooeres therof to be woorthy of deathe; 
consyderinge itt is a thynge that cumithe nere unto vertue, 
beinge used of many in all contries, and comendid and allowed 
of God hym selfe : The which thinge, by cause I cannot com- 
pendiously shew unto yow at soo shorte a warnynge, and in 
soo sharpe a wether, I shall desyer yow, gentle audiens of 
theves, to take in good parte these thynges that; at thys tyme, 
cumythe to my mynde : not mysdowtynge but that yow, of 
yowre good knowledge, are able to add mutche more unto ytt 
then this which I shall nowe utter unto yow. Fyrst fortitude and 
stowtnes of corage, and also bowldnes of minde is commendyd 
of sume men to be a vertue, which beinge grawnted, who is 
yt then that wyll not judge theves to be vertused, for thay be of 
all men moste stowte and hardy, and moste withowte feare; 
for thevery is a thynge moste usuall amonge all men; for 
not only yow that be here presente, but many other in dy verse 
places, bothe men and wemen and chyldren, rytche and poore, 
are dayly of thys facultie, as the hangman of Tyboorne can 
testyfye ; and that yt is allowed of God hymselfe, as it is 
evydente in many storryes of scriptures: for, yf yow looke in 
the hole cowrse of the Byble, yow shall fynde that theves have 



112 



RKLIHUI.B ANTIQUE 



bene beloved of Gode ; for Jacobe, whan be came owte of ] 
sopotamia, dyd steale his uncle Labanes kydde; the s 
Jacobe also dyd steale his brother Esaues blessynge, and 
God seyde ' I have chosen Jacobe, and refused Esau.' 
chyldren of Ysraell, whan thay came owte of Egypte, dyd s 
the Egiptiansje Welles of sylver and gowlde, as God comma; 
ed them soo to doo. Davyd, in the days of Abiather the 1) 
preste, did cume into the Temple, and dyd steale the I 
lowed breede, and yet God saide, ' David is a man after nr 
owne harte.' Chryste hymselfe, whan he was here on t 
erthe, did take an asse and a cowlte, that was none of bys, 1 
yow knowe that God said of hym, 'this is my beloved* so 
in whome I deligbtc,' Thus yow may see, that God deligl 
in theves. But moste of all I marvell that men can < 
yow theves, where as in all poyntes abnoste yow be lyke u 
Christe hymselfe; for Chryste had noo dwellynge place, 
more have yow : Christe wente fromu towne to toivne, 
soo doo yow : Christe was hated of all men, savynge < 
freendes, and soo are yow: Christe was laid waite upon in n 
places, and soo are yow : Chryste at the lengthe was caw| 
and soo shall yow bee : He was browght before (he jui 
and soo shall yow bee : He was accused, and soo shall yow b 
He was condempned, and soo shall yow be : He was b 
and soo shall yow bee : he wente downe into hell, and s< 
yow dooe ; mary, in this one tbynge yow dyffer frame byi 
lie rose agayne, and assended into heaven, and soo shall ) 
never dooe, withowte Godes greate mercy, which Gode graw 
yow. To whome with the Father and the Soone and the F 
Ghoste bee all honore and glorye for ever and ever, Amer 
Thus, his sermon beinge endyd, thay gave hym his n 
agayne that thay tooke frome hym, and .ij.s. to drynke for b 
sermon. 

Explicit. 



viij. ys my love, 31F ix. go before 

Wer viij. y-gert above, iij. were wel Iherefore. 

I love vij. xiiij. and iiij. god, 

Drof of hors and gyl of fisch, 

So hat my lemman war ^e ys ; 

Water of roLher and taymys brother. 

So hat my lemman in uon other. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 113 

A yong wyf and an arvyst gos, 

Moche gagil with bothe : 
A man that [hath] ham yn his clos, 

Reste schal he wrothe. 

Hllll 



SIR JOHN MAUNDEVILE AND THE SULTAN 

OF EGYPT. 

From MS, Bodl. £ Museeo, 160, in the Bodleian library, a quarto volume 
n paper of the beginning of the sixteenth century. It apparently forms 
art of a larger treatise, which is given in the MS. very imperfectly. 

Tie commonyng of Ser John Mandevelle and the gret Souden* 

Opon a tyme when Ser John Mandevelle 

In Egipe was in his jornaye, 
Two $ere with the sowdene did he dwelle, — 

Wei beloved he was of hym allewaye. 
A lordes doghter and his ayre ryght gaye 

He offert to hym, if he wald forsake 
His fayth and take Machometes laye, 

But no sich bargan wold he make. 
On a tyme to counselle he did hym take, 

And put alle othere lordes hym fro; 
He sayde, u telle me your Cristyn state, 

And how they kep theyr levyng tho." 
John Mandevelle sayd agayn hym too, 

" Ryght welle, I trust, by Goddes grace." 
The sowden sayd " it is not soo ; 

ffor your prestes, that suld tech vertus trace, 
They ryn rakyll out of gud race, 

Gyfte ylle ensampille and lyese in synne ; 
Off God services of his holy place, 

They gyf no forse, but gud to wynne, 
In dronken hed and licherese synne ; 

Ylle cownselle to princese they geve ; 
They by and selle by craft and gyn, 

Theyr mysord cawses alle myscheve. 
The commoun pepille of God thay greve 

On holy festes, when they suld pray, 
They seke sportes, and playse, and tavernes chefe, 

In sloth and glotone alle that daye. 
In lichery like bestes ar they, 

In occar, falshed, and robbare, 

>L. II. Q 



114 



RELIQUI.E ANTIQUES. 



Stryf and detraction, suth to saye, 

Mich perjury and many lee : 
flbr telle pride disgysed they bee, 

Now lanjr, now shorte, for inekille changenge; 
Abowt sich pride is alle ther studee, 

Agayn thcr law and Cristes byddynge. 
They aught to be mekc and of devowt lyvynge, 

Ever tru and y Ik an other love; 
We knaw they lost, for sich synynge, 

The Holy Land, that is best to prove ; 
We fer not but to hald it to our behove, 

Als lang as they lefe on this wyse. 
Neverlesse we knaw they salle be above, 

flbr ther better levyng then salle thay ryse ; 
But 3it they hast not to be wyse, 

flbr-thi we trust to hald it lange." 
Then Mandevelle said his hart did gryse, 

To her us so rebuket of a hay then man ; 
" Lord save your reverence," son sayd he than, 

" How cowth 3e knaw thes thinges so clere V 9 
He sayd, " I send theder many man, 

With marchandes, truth tylle enquere." 
Loo ! Cristyn men, now may $e here 

How heythen men doth us dispise ! 
flbr Cristes love lat us forbere 

Our ugly synnes, and radly ryse. 
Our mede is mekylle in paradise, 

Yf we thus do, or elles dowtlesse 
Depyst in helle in paynes grise, 

Hawee our set in payne endlese. 
0, is not this a gret hevynese, 

So many folke be lost for lakk of faythe 1 
Now it semys lowsit is Sathanesse, 

That sett this ward thus owt of graythe. 
Saint John in his Apocalipse say the, 

" Sathanas sal be lowset and do myche scathe.' 
Surly that may be previd here, 

That when passit is a thowsand jere, 
flbr agayn Crist and his gospelle clere, 

The sowden, the Turke, and the gret Caane, 
With Presler John and alle ther subjictes sere, 

By fayth and life Crist in again, 
Alle lust plesure use they playn, 

Covates and prid, and countes it no syn, 
He at hase most plesure is best they sayn, 

And most joy in paradise salle wyn. 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 115 

About a thowsand yere this did begyn 

After Cristes byrthe, in most owtrage, 
Sathanase was lowset and cawset this syn, 

Als Saint John did prophecy and saye. 
3e have hard how Macometes lay 

Doth promesse a paradise that cannot bee, 
But the gret Cane and his subjectes do saye 

A hevyn they trust to have and see. 
But wylle $e here how blynd thaye bee 

By the beryynge of ther gret Caane ] 
ffor so beleveth alle the commontee, 

And many mekylle wars certayn ; 
When thay salle bery the gret Caane, 

Mekylle mete and drinke on the erth they cast 
To fede hym after he be gane, 

ffor they thinke the saule it may not faste. 
Than the body they bryng unto that place 

Wher he salle ly armet in his wede, 
In a tabernacle or a case, 

Right preciose and by hym his stede, 
With sheld and spere and other wede, 

With a whit mere to gyf hym in ylke. 

HUH. 



CHARTER RELATING TO THE BUILDING OF 
ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL AT WINDSOR. 

The original of the following document is preserved in the archives of the 

Dean and Chapter of Windsor. 

This indenture made the vth day of the moneth of June in 
the XXI th yeare of the reigne of our Soveraign Lord King 
Henry the vii th , betweene George Talbott Lorde Steward, Giles 
Daubeney Lord Chamberlain, and Sir Thomas Lovell Knight, 
in the name of our said Soverain Lord and and all the Lords 
and Knights of the most honorable order of the Garter of the 
oon partie, and John Hylmer and William Vertue fremasons 
oun the other partie, witnesseth that it is covenaunted, bar- 
gained, and agreed betwixt the parties above named, that the 
said John Hylmer and William Vertue at their owne proper 
costs and charges shall vawlte or doo to bee vawlted with free 
stone the roof of the quere of the College Roiall of our Lady 
and Saint George within the Castell of Wyndsore, according 
to the roof of the body of the said College ther, which roof 
conteyneth vii. senereys, as well the vawlte within furth as 



no 



RKI.lQUl.E AKTIQUJE 



arclieboceus, crestys, corses, and the King's bestes stond 
mi theym to bore the fanes on the outsides of the said q 
and the creaks, corses, beasts above on the outsides of Ma 
John Shornes Chappei], to bee done and wrought a 
the other creastes, and comprised within the said bargayn 
provided alway that the principall keyes of the said vawte fft 
the high awter downe to the Kings stall shall bee wrought m 
pendaunt and rotower then the keyes or pendaunts of the b 
of the said colege, with the king's armes crowned with lyo 
anteloppes, greyhounds, and dragons, hering the said a 
a;id all the other lasser keys to bee wrought more penda 
and holower 1hen the keyes of the body of the said colege, a 
with roses, portecolys, floure-de-lyces, or any other devyce li 
shall please the King's grace to have in them. To all whi 
worke the said John and William promysen and by these p 
sents bynden themself, their heires. and executors, in cccc 1 ' i 
lings, to fynde all manner of stone, tyinbre of scaffalds, 1 
nayles, and all other things necessary, with caryage f 
same by water or by land, and to have fully fynished the s 
vawte with the appurtenances by the Fest of the Nativilyi 
our Lord, which shall bee in the yeare of our Lord God a 
the course and accenting of the church of England mcecc. ai 
viij; for all which workes before-named the King's 
the Lords and Knights of the Garter must paye or i 
paid to the sayd John and William, or to their assigi: 
li. sterling after this manner and fourme folowing, that is to si 
at their sealing of thies indentures c 11 . At the fest of tl 
nativity of our Lorde, then next following c 1L . At the f 
Ester, then next and immediately folowing lxxx 1 '. At tl 
of the Nativity of Seint John Baptist, then next folic 
lxxx 1 '. At the fest of St. Michael! the archangel], then d 
folowing lxxx". At the nativite of our Lorde, than next f(~ 
ing Ix". At the fest of E^ter, then next folowing Ix li . 
nativite of Seint John Baptist, then next folowing lx 1 '. 
the residue of the somme amounting to fourescore j 
bee payed as the workes goes forward bitwixt that a 
Fest of the Nativitee of our Lord then next folowing, by v 
day the said workes must bee fynyshed and ended. " 
which bargaynes and covenauntes wele and truly to I: 
and performed the parties above named to their present 
dentures interchaungeably have set to their seales the c 
and yere abovesaid, 

mi 



> - 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 117 

SCRAPS. 
From the Margins, Sec. of Manuscripts. 

fc. From a Psalter of the fourteenth century, discovered in a farm-house in 
Leicestershire, by J. Stockdale Hardy, Esq. F.S.A. 

Les aprises qe ly sages aprent a ces enfaunz. 
La premere est Loyalte en bouche. 
La secounde est Amour en quoor. 
La tierce est Sage e gamy en fayt. 
La quarte est Chaste de corps. 
La quynte est Mesure en totes choses. 

L'enfaunt qe tayr vodra, 

A cestes choses se tendra. 

Maddamys alle as je bee, 

Rememyr this wane je hyt see ; 

Sche that wy He stwde here [1 scrwde here] over muche, 

Sche shaile not gate tho by crose no the cruche ; 

Scho that haw wyll to play the chylle, 

Apon this sche most loke oth wylle. 

Ware welle, ladys, and rememer thys, 

I haw wryttyn to yow I nott wat hit ys. 

9. From ahandsome Latin breviary, in the possession of Henry Walter, Esq. 

of The Willows, near Windsor. 

Iste liber pertinet dominee Alicise Champnys moniali mo- 
nasterii Shastonise, quem dicta Alicia emit pro summa decern 
solidorum de domino Richardo Marshalle re [c] tore ecclesiae 
parochialis sancti Rumboldi de Shastina prsedicta. 

Trium puerorum cantemus himnum quem cantabant in ca- 
mino ignis benedicentes Dominum. O swete Jhesu, the sonne 
of God, the endles swetnesse of hevyn and of erthe and of all 
the worlde, be in my herte, in my mynde, in my wytt, in my 
wylle, now and ever more, Amen. Jhesu mercy, Jhesu 
gramercy, Jhesu for thy mercy, Jhesu, as I trust to thy mercy, 
Jhesu as thow art fulle of mercy, Jhesu have mercy, on me 
and alle mankynde redemyd with thy precyouse blode. Jhesu, 
Amen. 

/. G. N. 

AN HISTORICAL POEM. 

From MS. BodL E Musseo, 160, on paper in quarto. The first stanza and 
some lines in the middle are too imperfect to be at all intelligible. 

King Herre the eght of fair Yngland, 

And Katryne his gud and vertuose wheyne, 
King of France, Francis to understand, 



:ztl3. *JTrisc. 



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A-iii :r~? iz-i ~z:':»=r scid n :: wave : 

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I: L'"-.-:. izii :arr iir-vz. zrexLIe have. 
r >:n :Lr?ir5 *:lis rrzi iid siye 
T":i: rY-lr "t ^ i^ this -^irld sdd falle, 

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„■* •- 17- r _—r--r"5 »■--. « a. . ^rr*r U.2V6, 

c % - - • «■— - - - - — - " • - — -*-•-- - " - • 

Th^: pii::.-i :'n::'i ^tfzill-f i: relle 
A: rrv*. :.*.;- ire :yit ; :iic zhaunce was thralle, 

rT-;-:=o::^ :;Lke :iie: .vss slay a thay telle. 
rtv: •>'::: •-;-;*.:. cr.~ :er.cr. ncneinen telle; 

T\. c : r \ -;*/:. of P.-v.s lei: in sud eold, 
xv. rho .'. -.ar.d po^r.I :o V:Ile, 

Wit?; as miche money a> a bushell myght hold. 
flor alW; this fro he was laid in mold, 

H': had n':ver a mes^e don for hvra thav said : 

m m w 

Th<; kirij^ and cardinalle gat the gold, 

CJovates men herby may be flayed. 
A rir;hf; man of London also, 

I n gold lift had a thowsand pownd, 
A ll<: sufferances xx.s. a pece ar thoo, 

15 y tomptacion of a hellis hownd 
Mi: iiangit hymself, a deth unsownd. 

r Ili Im porui U written on two leaves which are separated in the manascript, 
In mm I ln< i^iiorunrc of (lie binder, there being five leaves betwixt them. The 
MM. N mil rolliitcil. 

mm. 



RELIQULS ANTIQUJB. 119 

POETICAL SCRAPS. 

om MS. Harl. 2316, fol. 25, r°. of the earlier part of the fourteenth century, 

written as prose, partly a palimpsest. 

Men rent me on rode 

Wiht wndes woliche wode, 
Al blet mi blode ! 

Thenk, man, al it is $e to gode ! 
Thenk who je first \vr03hte, 

For what werk helle 30W sowhte ; 
Thenk who $e ageyn bowhte, 

Werk warli, fayle me nowhte. 
Biheld mi side, 

Mi wndes sprede so wide, 
Eestles I ride, — 

Lok upon me, put fro $e pride ! 
Mi palefrey is of tre, 

Wiht nayles naylede jwrh me, 
Ne is more sorwe to se, 

Certes noon more no may be. 
Under mi gore - 

Ben wndes selcow3e sore ; 
Der man, mi lore, 

For mi love sinne no more ! 
Fal nowht for fonding, 

?at schal je most turne to goode ; 
Mak stif wiht stondinge, 

Thenk wel who me rente on je rode ! 

Jhesu Cryst, myn lemman swete, 

3at for me deyedes on rode tre, 
Wiht al myn herte I $e biseke, 

For 3i wndes to and thre, 
3at al so faste in myn herte - m 

$i love roted mute be, 
As was $e spere into $i side, 

Whan 30W sufFredis ded for me ! 

Kyndeli is now mi coming 

Into jis [werd] wiht teres and cry, 
Litel and povere is myn having, 

Bi^el and sone I falle from hi ! 
Scharp and strong is mi deying, 

I ne woth whider schal I ; 
Fowl and stinkande is my roting, 

On me, Jhesu, 30W have mercy ! 



jK, 



KELUJl'I-S AM1QI.E. 

Ded is strong and maystret alle thing ! 
Ded for-doth barown and king ! 
Ded is fei and mercy hat noon, 
For al jis werld lo ded sclial gon ! 
Ded is derne and stalket etille ! 
Ded wamet noman jat he wile spille! 
Ded men dredet, and jat is sk.il, 
For alio he taket at his wil ! 
Man, of ji lyf bo nowht to bold. 
For ded tie sparet ying ne old ! 

God wiht bise aungeles I have for-loren, 
Alias ! ;e while jat I was boren ! 
To sorwe and pine I bringe at eende, 
Man jat me lovet I schal him scheods I 

To je Tend I owe fewte, 

Truage, homage, and gret lewt6. 

MeTCy is hendest whore sinne is mest, 

Mercy is lattere jere sinne is lest. 

Mercy abidet and loke al day, 

Whan man fro sinne wile turnen away ; 

Mercy savet jat lawe wolde spille, 

Mercy asket but Godes wille ! 

Jis is ji Bete, domes man, 

Jifrihtt'ul dooijif jow kan; 

Wiht jin hond tak jow no gifte, 

Ne for biseking doi non unriht ; 

Lawe and liht is ji faderis fel, 

Loke on 3at and deme wel ! 

Marie, jow quen! jow moder ! jow mayden briht! 

3owwilt! jow canst! jow art oi'miht! 

Sow lyf! 30W love ! jow hope of blisse ! 

In sinne, in sorwe, in nede, us wisse ! 

He is wys jat kan be war or him be wo ; 

He is wys jat lovet his frend and ek his Fo; 

He is wys jat havet i-now and kan seyn, " ho !" 

He is wys jat kan don wel, and doelh al so. 

Hope is hard jer hap is f'oo; 

Hap wile helpen jet hope is froo : 

Unhap at nede is werdes wo, 

God sende him hap jat wolde wel do ! 

Sey, sinful man, what is jyn thowht, 
jat to jis werd art al yoven \ 






CLIQU1.E ANTIQUE. 

beren riht nowht, 
1 m al were jyn owen ! 

■ urate je nowht to fele, 
■ I and werdis wele ; 

■ ilt nowht evere ben, 
i deyen and hejen teen : 

msec t'vcrykon, 
i^'ii haven in hap ji fon, 

.uie.n i'ro je bon, 
i ^chulen wiht je gon ! 

i-'ilin of litel trewthe, 
it is rewthe; 
"a above, 
I iiried trewthe and love! 

| fro kyndeli skil, 
mynde wol f'er got wil ; 
'lynde wihtowten ski], 
• kynde lowande his wil. 

ms riflowr, 
tiuiis purveyowr, 

innis mirowr. (;', e, mors.) 

in londe to haven wrchipe and miht, 
mihte no man reven his riht ; 
li-stit nothing, and $at is mikel schame, 
: jyn ending, and doet awey ji name! 

as good felawe, 
s boren in wre wede ; 
d noricc he bowh down lowe, 

himself he wolde us fede. 
rde upon jc lowe, 
a!' for wie nede ; 
. we schulen him knowe, 
be himself scbal yivenin rnede. 

■I falshed in everi flok, 

perd under a lok ; 
man may comen ier to, 
he singge si dedero. 



122 RELIQUI.fi ANTtQUA. 

DUTTONS COMPANY OF ACTORS. 

The following very curious satire is taken from MS. Had. 7302, f< 
collection of poetry made in the time of Queen Elitabelh. Fn 
relative to the Duttons, sea Collier's Hist. Dram. Poet. vol. i 

The Duttons and tkeyr fellow-players forsalcyng t 
of Warwycke theyr mnyster, became followers of the 1 
Oxford, and wrol themselves his Comcsdians, which c 
gentlemen altered and made Camcelions. T/te Duttons. a 
with that, compared themselves to any gentleman ; 
these armes were devysedfor them. 

The fyeld, a fart durty, a gybbet crosse-corded, 

A dauncyng Dame Flurty of alle men abhorred ; 

A lyther lad scampant, a roge in his ragges, 

A whore that is rampant, astryde wyth iier legges. 

A woodcocke displayed, a calfe and a sheepe, 

A bitche that is splayed, a dormouse asleepe ; 

A vyper in stynche, la part de la drul, 

Spell backwarde this Frenche and cracke me that t 

Parcy per pillery, perced with a rope, 

To sfyde the more lytherly anoynted with sope ; 

A coxcombe crospate in token of witte, 

Two cares perforate, a nose wythe slytte. 

Three nettles resplendent, three owles, three swallow 

Three mynstrellmeD pendent on three payre of galloi 

Further puflicinnt.lv placed in them 

A knaves head, for a difference from alle honest i 

The wreathe is a chayne of chaungeable red, 

To shew they ar vayne and fickle of head ; 

The creste is a lastrylle whose feathers ar blew. 

In signe that these fydlers will never be trew ; 

Whereon is placed the home of a gote, 

Because they ar chast, to this is theyr lotte, 

For their bravery, indented and parted, 

And for their knavery itmebulated. 

Mantled lowsy, wythe doubled drynke. 
Their ancient, house is called the Clynke; 
Thys Posy they beare over the whole eartlie, 
Wylt please you to have a fyt of our mirthe ? 
But reason it is, and heraultes allowe welle. 
That (idlers should beare their amies in a towelle ! 



& REUQUI.X ANTIQUE. 123 

WHAT IF A DAY, A MONTH, OR A YEAR. V w .; . 

6.' 

From MS. A4dit. 6704, fol. 163, an entry book of the Wigley family of 
the time of Queen Elizabeth. Another copy of this song, consisting of two 
stanzas only, is printed in vol. i. p. 323. 

What yf a daye or a month or a yeare 

Crowne my desyres with a thousand wisht contentmentes, 
Cannot the chaunce of a nighte or an hower 

Crose thy delytes witb a thowsand sad tormentmentes 1 
Fortune, favoure, bewty, youth, are but blossomes dyinge, 
Wanton pleasures, dotinge love, are but shadowes flyinge ! 
All oure joyes are but toyes, idle thoughtes delightinge ! 
None have power of an hower in their ly ves bereavinge. 

Th'earth's but a poynt to the world, and a man 

Is but the poynte to the earthes compared centuri 
Cann then the poynte of a poynte be so fonde, 

As to delighte in a sillie poyntes adventure 1 
Alle is hassard that wee have, their is noughte abydinge ; 
Daye3 of fortune are but streames throughe faire meadowes 

glydinge : 
Weale or woe, tyme dothe goe, in tyme noe returninge ; 
Secrete fates gydes our states, bothe in mearth and mourninge! 

Go, sillie nete, to the eares of my deare, 

Make thyselfe bleste, in her sweetest passions languishe ! 
Laye thee to sleepe in the bedd of her harte, 

Geve her delighte, though thyselfe be madd with anguish : 
Then wheare thou arte, thinke on me that from thee ame vanisht, 
Saye once I had bine content, thoughe that nowe ame banisht ; 
Yett when streamesbacke shall rune and times passed shall rewe, 
I shall teaze her to love and in lovinge to be trewe. 

mm. 

1**" ,>•" ■>*- 



I":/'" ' 



EELIftUI^; ANTIQUE. 



A MYSTERY OF THE BURIAL OF CHRIST. 



From MS. Bodl. e W 
in the sixteenth century. 
Lib. HSS. Angl. et Uib, 



is. 100, a quarto voltiir 
Tlie number of the M 
.0111. i- p. 176) in 3602. 

PROLOGUE, 



Theprologe of this treyte, or medilatioun off the buryai 
Cr-iste and moiornyng tkerat. 

A soule that list to since of love 

Of Crist that com tille us so lawe, 
Rede this treyte it may hym move. 

And may hym teche lightly with awe 
Off the sorow of Mary sumwhat to knawe, 

Opon gudfriday nftervnone, 
Also of the appostiles awe, 

And how Mwdleyn sorowe cessitnot sone. 
And also 
How Josephe of Aramathye, 
And otherc persons holye, 
With Nichodeyme worthely, — 

How in tliair barte had wo. 
ffyrst lat us mynde how gud Josephe 
On this wise wepite Cristcs dethe. 
Josephe. Alasse ! that ever I levit thus longe. 
This day to se so grete wronge ; 
So felle cruelltee and paynes stronge 

Were never seyn or this. 
Such envy, such rancor, such malesse, 
Of cruelle tormentis such excesse, 
0, Pilate ! Pilate ! in thy palesse, 

He that never did amysse 
This day was dampnyt ! innocent bloc 
Most of vertue, most graciose and gude, 
This day stremyt owt lik a floode, 

And lyk a ryvere grete ! 
On Calvery mownt on lenghe and hrede, 
O Calvery ; thy greyn colore is turnyd to rede 
By a blessit lames bloode, which now is dede. 

Alese, for saynt I swete ! 
Remembringe that so cleyne on innocent shuld dy 
Which ledd his life the most perfitlye. 
And wrought sich warkes wonderoslye, 
Osc Judea can recorde. 



RBLIQUIJI ANTIQUE. 125 

What mortalle creature that powre myght have 
To make a dede man rise owt of his grave, 
Lyinge therin iiij. dayes tay ve, 

But God the gretist Lorde ? 
A man to have his sight born starke blinde 
ffrom Adams creation where shalle we fynde, 
Or what prophettes can ye calle ty mynde 

Of whom may be verryfyed 
So grete a miracle above naturs righte ? 
To many othere blind men he gave the sighte, 
And wrought many wounders by godly myghte, 

As it is welle certifiede. 
ifrom the hylle I com bot now downe, 
Wher I left the holy women in dedly swowne ; 
O ye pepulle of this cety and of this towne, 

Herd ye not the exclamatioun; 
And the grete bruunte which was on the hille, 
" Crucyfy hym ! crucify hym ! slo hym and kille !" 
Peace now, harkyn, I pray you stand stille, 

Methink I here lamentatioun. 



OFF THE WEPINGE OF THE THRE MARIES. 

This is a play to be played on part on gudfriday qflernone, 
and the other part opon Esterday qflernone. The Resurrection 
in the morowe but .... begynnyge at certen lynes which 
not be said if it be plaied, which otnX. 

Thre Mariye sais alletogidere in a voce, 

O most dolorose day ! O tym of gretist sorowe ! 
O systers, stand stille untylle tomorowe ! 

I trow I may not leve ! 
Josephe. I here the, Mawdleyne, bitterly compleyn; 
What gud creature may hymself refrayn 

In this piteose myscheffe ? 
Prima Maria. O day of lamentatioun ! 
Secunda Maria. day of exclamatione ! 
Thrid Maria. O day off suspiratione, 

Which Jewes shalle repent ! 
Mary Mawdlen. day most doloruse! 
Secunda Maria. O day paynfulle and tediose ! 
Tertia Maria. O pepulle most cruelle and furiose, 

Thus to slo an innocent ! 
Secunda Maria. O Mawdleyn ! your maister dere, 



REL1QU£.« ANTIQUE. 

How rewfully he hinges here, 

That set you first in ceile ! 
Mawdleyn. Acesse, sisters, it sloes my chere. 
His duli'ulle deth I may not bere ! 
Devowt Josephe I se hym here, 

Our cares for to keyle. 
gud Josephe, approche to us nere, 
Beliold hym mowndit with a spere 

That lovede yow so weylle. 
Josephe. god Mawdleyn, I pray you here, 
And your susters als to be of gud chere. 
Magdalen. frende Joseph, this prince had never pere. 
The welle of mercy that made me clere. 

And that wist ye weile. 
Nay, gude Josephe, com nere and behold. 
This bludy lames body is starke and cold, 
! hadde ye seyn his paynes many fold, 

Ye wald have beyne right sory ! 
Josephe, luk bettere, behold and see 
In bow litille space how many woundes bee. 
Here was no mercye, her was no pitee, 

But cruclle delinge paynfully • 
0, goode Josephe ! t am alle dysmayede 
To see his tendere fleslic thus rewfully arayed, 
On this wise so wofully displayed, — 

Woundit withe naylle and spere. 
dere Josephs, I feylle my hart wex cold, 
Thes blessite fete thus bludy to behold, 
Whom I weshid with teres manyfold. 

And wyped with my heare ! 
0, how rewfulle a spectacille it is ! 
Never hast bee seyn, ne shalle be after this. 
Such cruelle rigore to the kinge of blisse, — 

The Lord that made alle 
Thus to suffere in his humanitee. 
And that only for our iniquitee, — 
0, makere of man ! what love and pitee 

Had thou for us so ihralle ! 
O, gude Josephe, was ye not present here 1 
Joseph. Yis, moder Mawdleyn, it changid my chere. 
The wounder was so grete I yrkit to com nere. 

But I was not farre hence. 
Magdalena. Josephe, if I told you everycircumstaunce 
Of the moste merite and perseveraunce 

Of hym that never did offence, 
Thys highe kirige that hingis befor our face. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJS. 127 

Displayede on crosse in this piteos place, 

And telle you of his pacience, — 
ffrende Josephe, this day am I sure 
Scantly with force ye myght it indure, 

But your hart shuld tendere, 
How he sufFerte to be takid, 
Sor scourgit and nakit 

On alle his body slendere ! 
And notwithstondinge your manly hart, 
ffrome your oes the teres wald starte 

To shew your hevynesse. 
Com hithere Josephe and stande ner this rood, 
Loo, this lame spared not to shedd his blude, 

With most paynfulle distresse ; 
Her was more rancore shewed than equitee, 
Mich more malace than ony pitee ! 
I reporte me yourself, behold and see, — 

His payn passis alle othere ! 
Alle if he were the prince of peace, 
Therfor my sorow haves no releace. 
Josephe. Gude Mawdleyn of your mowrnynge cease, 

It ekes my doole, dere moder. 
Maria Jacobi secunda. Goode frende Josephe, what 

creature maye 
But sorow to se this wofulle daye, — 

The day of gretis payne 1 
Maria Salomee. Wo and sorow must nedis synke 
Mor in our hartes than met and drinke, 

To se our Saveyoure slayne. 
Josephs. Alese, women, ye mak my hart to relente, 
Beholdinge his body thus tome and rente, 

That inwardly I wepe. 
But, gude Mawdleyn, shew unto me 
Where is Mary his mothere so free ; 

Who have that maide to kepe 1 
Maudleyn. A ! Josephe from this place is sho gone ; 
To have seyn hir a harte of stone 

ffor ruthe wuld have relente : 
Right many tymes emange us here 
Sche swownyd with most dedly chere, 

Ose mothere mekest kente ; 
With fulle longe prayere scant we myghte, 
Cause hir parte from this peteose sighte 

Sche madde many compleynte. 
Ye saw never woman this wise dismaide, — 
Jebedeus and John hase hire convaide, — 



S3 RELIQUl* AWIijI ,t. 

To spek of hire I faynte ! 
Many men spekes of lamentacioun, 
Off modcrs and of their jjret desolatioun. 

Which that tlmy did indure 
When that their childer dy and passe. 
But of his peteose tender moder, alasse ! 

I am verray sure, 
The wo and payn passis alie othere ; 
Was ther never so s-orowfulle a mothere 

ffor inward thojt, and cure ! 
When sho harde hym for his cnmyse praye. 
And promesid the tliefe the blissis aye. 
And to hirself no word wald saye, 

Sche sighid, be ye sure. 
The sonne hynge and the moder stood, 
And ever sho kissid the droppes of blood 

That so fast ran down : 
Sche exlendit hir armes hym to brace, 
But sho myght not towch hym, so high was the place, 

And then sho felle in swoune. 
Josephe. A ! gude Mawdleyne, who can hir blame, 
To se hir awn sonnc in so grete shame 

Withowt any offence. 
But, Mawleyn, had lie ony myud in his passioun? 
Ma.wd.leyn. Jee, yee, Josephe, of hir he had j 
compassioun. 

As apperit by evidence: 
ffor hanginge on the crosse most petyfully. 
He lukyd on that maidc, his moder, rewfully, 

And with a tender cowtenaunce : 
As who say, modere, the sorow of your harte 
Make my passion mor bitter and mor srnarte, — 

Yc ben ever in my remembraui 
Dere modere, becawse I depart of nowe, 
John my cosyrv shalle waite on yowe, 

Your comforte for to hee : 
Loo ! he had hir in his graciose mynd, 
Toteche alle childeren to be kind 

To fader and modere of , 
Tins chilil wald not lefe his moder alone, 
NotwiLhstandinge hir lamentabille rnone 

And hevynes. 
Joseph. A ! gud lady, fulle wo was shee ! 
But can ye telle what wordes saide hee 

There in that grete distresse! 
Mawdleyn. 0, Josephe ! this lame most meke 



REL1QUIJB ANTIQUE. 129 

In this cruelle tormentes and paynfulle eke 

But fewe wordes he hadd! 
Save that in grete agonye 
He saide thes wordes, " I am thrustye," 

With chere demure and sadd. 
Josephe. Mawdleyne, suppose ye his desire was to 

drinke ] 
Mawdleyn. Nay, verrelye, frende Joseph, I thinke 

He thrustede no lyquore : 
He thruste water of charitee, 
ffor our faithe and fidelitee, 

He ponderite the rigore 
Off his passion done so cruellye, 
ffor the helth of mannys saulle cheflye 

He thrustid and desirede : 
And then after tormente longe, 
And after paynes felle and stronge 

This mekist lam expyrede. 
ffor wikkit synners this lame is dede ! 
Alese ! my hart wex hevy os lede, 

Myndinge my writchitnesse. 
Where was ever a mor synfulle creature 
Than I myself? nay, nay, — I am sure 

Was none of mor offencesse. 
O, what displesur is in my mynd, 
Rememberinge that I was so unkynd 

To hym that hinges here, — 
That hinges here so piteoslye ! 
ffor my synnes done owtragioslye 

Mercy, Lorde, I requere. 
Notwithstondinge the gre[te] enormitee 
Of my fowle synnes and of his humylitee, 

This lambe, this innocent, — 
ffor my contritioun he forgave mee, 
Only of his fre mercifulle pitee, — 

Neddes must my harte relente ! 
This is the sacrifice of remissioun, 
Crist alle synners havinge contritioun 

Callith to mercy and grace: 
Sayinge thes swete wordes, " retorne to mee, 
Leve thy syn and I shal be with thee, 

Accepte in every place." 
Had not beyne his most mercifulle consolatione, 
I wreche of alle wretches into desperatioun 

Had fallen right dangeroslye ! 
My dedes were dampnabille of righte, 

.. II. s 



J RELIQUI.S ANTIQUE. 

But his mercee accepte my harte contrigbte, 

And reconsiled me gracioslye. 
0, mekeste lambe, hanginge here on hye, 
Was tlier none othere meyn but thou must nede dy, 

Synners to reconsyle 1 
A ! sisters, sisters, what sorow is in me, 
Beholdinge my master on this peteose tree ! 
My harte faynt I may no longer dree, — 

Now lat me pawse a whyle. 
0, where shall? ony coinfurthe com to mee, 
And to his modere, that maid so free 1 

Wald God here I myght dye '. 
Tlie if. Maries. Gud Mawdleyn, mesure youre < 

ti Hinge teres. 
Mawdlayn. 0, sisters, who may hold theire ch( 
These are the swete fete I wipet with heris, 

And kissid so devowflye. 
And now to see tham thyrlite with a nayle, 
How shulde my so row full e harte hot fayle. 

And mowrne contynuaily ? 
Cum hithere, Joseph, beholde and looke 
How many bludy letteres beyn writen in this h 

Smalle margente her is. 
Josephs. Ye, this parchement is stritchit owt of s_ 
0, derest Lorde, in how paynfulle wise 

Have ye tholit this ! 
0, a!le the pepille that passis hereby, 
Beholde here imvardlye with your ees gostly, 

Consider welle and see, 
Yf that ever ony payn or torment 
Were lik unto this, which this innocent 

Haves sufFert thus meklee ! 
Remembere, man, remembere welle and see 
How liberalle a man this Lord was and free, 

Which to save mankind 
On droppe of blu.de haves not kepit ne sparid, — 
ifulle litille for ease or plesure he carid, 

By reason ye may finde, 
Wliicli on dropp of blood hase not resarvyd. 
O Lord, by thy deth we beyn preservyd, 

By deth thou hast slayne deth : 
Was never no love lik unto thyne, 
That to this meknes thyselfe wald inclyne, 

And for us to yelde thy brethi 
Thou knew there were no remedy to rcdeyme syn 
But a bath of ther Llude to bathe mans 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 131 

And thou were welle assent 
To let it renne owt most plenteosly. 
"Where wer ever sich love ? never verrely, 

That such wise wald content. 
To his fathere for us he made a sure rendere : 
Loo, every bone ye may nowmbere of his body tendere 

fFor untollerabille paynes. 
The tormentours sparede no crueltee, 
Whith sharp scowrges to terre his fleshe ye may see, 

With thorns thrust in his braynes. 
Grete nayles drevyn the bones alle to brake, 
Thus in every parte the nayles thay did wrake ! 

O cruelle wikkitnese ! 
ffrom the crowne of the hede unto the too, 
This blessit body was wrappit alle in woo, 

In payne and distresse ! 
In this displaied body where may it be founde, 
On spott or a place bet ther is a wounde, 

Owther mor or lesse 1 
Se his side, hede, handes, and fete ! 
Lo, alle his body with blude is wete ! 

Lo, paynfnlle was his presse ! 
On yche parte he is payned sore, 
Save only the tunge, which evermore 

ffor synners did prayee. 
Mawdleyn. Who saw ever a spektacle more piteus, 
A more lamentable sight and dolorus 1 

A ! A ! this wofulle daye ! 
Alese! this sorow that I endure, 
With grete ihwarde hevynes and cure ! 

Alesse ! that I do not dye ! 
To see hym dede made me of noghte, 
And with his deth thus haves me boughte ! 

O cruelle tormentrye ! 
O dere master, be ye not displeasid ; 
Yf I myght dy with yow, my hart wer wel easid ! 

fFaynt and faynt it is ! 
Joseph. What meyn $e, women, in Goddis name? 
Moaer, to mych sorow $e mak ; ye be to blame ; 

1 pray yow leve alle this. 
He that hingeth here of his humilite, 

ffrom deth shalle aryse for right, — so saide hee, 

His wordes must nedis be trewe. 

This is the finale cawse and conclusioun, 

To bringe our mortalle enmy to confusion, 

And his powere to subdewe. 



132 RELIQUI<£ AMT1QUJE. 

ffor this cawse he descendit from the hevynly place, 
Born of the mekist virzyn, alle fulle of grace, 

Which now most sorowfulle is. 
ffor that cawse he did our natur take, — 
Thus by deth to sloo deth, ffor mannes sake, 

And to restor hym to blysse : 
Wherfor, good women, yourself comforte, 
Amongest us agayn he shalle resorte 

I trust verrelye. 
I pray yow compleyne not thus hevylee. 
MawdUyn. Nedes must I compleyne and that most 
bitterlee, 

And I shalle telle yow whye. 
If sensibille creaturs beyn troublid, je see, 
The son had lost his sight, ecleppid was hee, 

Th'erth tremblide ferfullye, — 
The hard flynt and stone is brokyn in sundre, 
Yf resonable creaturs be trowblid it is no wonder ; 

And emange alle specially, 
I a wrechit woman, a wreche ! a wreche ! 
Behold these bludy welles, her may thou feche 

Balme more preciose than golde. 
O ye welles of mercy dyggide so depe, 
Who may refrayn, who may hot wepe 

These bludy streymys to beholde ? 

fontans flowinge with water of life, 

To wash away corrupcioun of wondes infectyfe, 

By dedly syne grevose ! 
Alle with meknese is mesured this ground without dowte, 
Wherin so many springes of mercy flowes owte, 

Beholde how so plenteose. 
Altera Maria. Mawdleyne, your mowrnynge avaylis 

nothinge, 
Lat us speke to Josephe, hym hertely desiringe 

For to finde some gude waye, 
This crucified body downe to take, 
And bringe it to sepulchre, and so lett make 

Ende of this wofulle daye. 
Josephe. Gude women and worthye, 
3e shalle understand yit more that I 
Have beyne with the juge Pilat instantlye, 

ffor this same requeste, — 
To berye this most holy bodye, 
Ande he grauntid me fulle tenderlye 

To do os me thought beste. 

1 have spokene with Nichodemus also, 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 133 

Ye shalle se hyme takyn downe or ye go, 

That he taryes so longe I marvelle. 
A ! I se hym now com upward the hille, 
Cesse ofyoure wepinge, I pray you be stille, — 

I trust alle snal be welle. 
Nichodemus, come nere, we have longe for you thojt. 
Nichodemus. O worthy Lorde, who made alle thinge 

of noght, 
With the most bitter payne to deth is thou broughte, 

Thy name blessit bee ! 
O how a pitefulle sight is this, 
To se the prince of everlastinge blisse 

To hinge here on this tree, — 
To hinge here thus soo piteoslye ! 
O most lovinge Lorde, thy gret mercy 

To this havese the constreynyd! 
Why wold thyn awn pepille, thi awn flokke, 
Thus crucyfy the and nay lie tille a stokke ? 

Why haves thou not refreynyd ] 
ffor fourty yere in wildernesse 
Theire olde ffaders in theire progresse 

Thou fed with angelles foode, 
And brought tham into the land of promission, 
Wher they fand lond in every condischion, 

And alle thinge that was goode : 
A ! A ! Is this theire gramercy ] Is this theire -reward ] 
Thy kindnesse, thy gudnese can they regard 

No better but thus ? 
Notwithstondinge the vesture of thi humanyt6, 
That thou were the verrey son of God thay myjt see 

By myracles most gloriose ! 
Joseph. Gude brothere, of your compleinte cesse, 
3e renewe agayne grete hevynesse 

Now in thes women here. 
Nicodemus. Gret comfurthe we may have alle, 
ffor by his Godly powere arise he shalle, 

And the thride daye apere : 
ffor ons he gave me leve with hym to reasone, 
And he shewet of this deth and of this treasone, 

And of this crueltee, 
And how for mankynd he com to dye, 
And that he shuld arise so glorioslye 

By his myghtee majestee ; 
And with our flesche in hevyn tille ascend, 
Many swete werdes it plesit hym to spend, 

Thus speking unto me, — 



4 RELIQUI.E ANTIQUE. 

That no man to hevyn myght clym. 
But if it were by grace of hym 

Which com downe to make us &ae 

Nemo ascendit in ccelum nisi qui descendit de 

ccelo. [Ephes. iv. 9.] 

Joseph redy to take Crist downe sais, 
To tak down this body lat us assaye, 
Brother Nichodemus, help I yow praye. 

On arme I waldye hadd 
To knokk out thes naylea so sturdy and grete, 
Safyoure, they sparid not your body to bete, 

Thay aught now to be sadd ! 
Mawdleyn. Gude Josephe, handille hym tenderlye, 
Josephe. Stonde ner, Nichodemus, resave hym softlye; 

MawdJeyn, hold ye his fete. 
Mawdleyne. Haste yow, gude Josephe, hast yow 

whiklye, 
ffor Marye his moder wille com fer I, 

A ! A ! that virgine most swete ! 
Nichodemus. I saw hir benelhe on the othere sid, 
With Jolin ; I am sure she wille not abid 

Longe frome this place. 

Mary virgyn and mother com then sayinge, 

A ! A ! my dere sone Jhesus ! A ! A ! my dere soi 

Jhesus ! 
John Evaungeliste. Gude Marye, swete cosyne, 
mowrne ye not thus, 

Ye see how stondes this case. 
Mawdleyne. Allese, schocommys ! A! whatremedye 
Gud Joseph, comfurth hire stedfastlye, — 

That virgyne so fulle of woo ! 
Mary virgynnc sais, fallen in swowne, 
Stonde stille, frendes, hast ye not soo, 

Have ye no fere of mee 1 
Lat me help to tak my dere son downe. 
Mary Mawdleyne- Lo, I was sure alio walld I 
a swowDe ! 

Her on every sid is pitee. 
Josepfie. Help, Mawdleyne, to revyve hir agayn. 
A ! A ! this womans harte is plungid with payn, 
Hir sorwe sbo cane not cesse. 
Johns Evaungeliste. A! A! dere ladee, wherfore a 
why 



' RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 135 

ffare ye on this wise 1 wille ye here dy ? 

Leyf of this hevynesse : 
Ye promesit me ye wold not do thus. 
Mawdleyne. Speke, ladye, speke for the love of Jhesus, 
Youre swete sone, my master here ! 
Marye virgyn. A ! A ! Mawdleyn, Mawdleyn, your 

master so deere ! 
ij. Maries. Most meke modere, be now of gude chere! 
John Evaungeliste. Wipe awaye that rynnys owte so 

faste, 
ffrom your remembraunce rayse owt at the last 

Of his passione the crueltee ! 
Josephe. Tak comfurthe, Marye, this wailinge helpes 

nothinge ; 
Your dere son we wille to his sepulcre bringe, 

Als it is alle pure dewtee. 
Mary Virgyn. God reward yow of your tendernesse, 
I shalle assiste you with alle humylenesse, 

But yit or he departe 
Suffere me my mynd for to breke ; 
Howbeit fulle scantly may I speke, 

ffor faynte and febille harte ! 
A ! A ! cosyn John, what shall I saye 1 
Who saw ever so dolfulle a daye, — 

So sorowfulle a tym as this ] 
This wofulle moders sorow who cane itt expresse, 
To se hir own chyld sleyn with cruelnesse ! 

Yit, myn own swet son, your woundes 
wold I kysse ! 
Gabrielle! Gabrielle! 
Of grete joy did ye telle 

In 30ur first salutatioun ! 
Ye saide the Holigost shuld com in mee, 
And I shuld consave a child in virginitee, 

ffor mankind salvatioun ! 
That ye said truthe right welle knaw I, 
But ye told me not my son shuld dye, 

Ne yit the thought and care 
Of his bitter passioun which he suffert nowe! 
O old Symeon, fulle suthlye said yowe, 

To spek ye wold not spare ! 
Ye saide the sword of sorow suld enter my hart, 
Ye, ye, juste Symeon, now I felle it smarte 

With most dedly payne. 
Was there never moder that felit so sore, 
I-wise, John, I felle it alway more and more ! 

Help, help, now Mawdlene ! 



136 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 

Et cadit in extase. 

Mawdleyne. Mek moder and mayde, leve your la- 

mentatioun ! 
Ye swowne stille on pase with dedly supiratioun, 

Ye mare youreself and us. 
John Evaungeliste. Ye shuld lefe of your paynfulle 

afflictione, 
Callinge to your mynd his resurrectione, 

Whiche sal be so gloriose : 
This knaw ye and that beste. 
Mary virgyn. I knaw it welle, or ellis in reste 

My harte shuld never bee ; 
I myght not leve nore endure 
On mynnate, bot I am sure 

The thrid day ryse shalle hee ; 
But yit havinge remembraunce, 
The gret cruelty and ffelle vengance 

Of the Jues so unkind, 
Which thus wikkitly has betrayed 
Goddes son, borne of me a mayd, 

Most sorowfulle in my mynd ! 
O Judas, why didist thou betraye 
My son thi master 1 What can thou saye 

Thyself for tille excuse 1 
Of his tender mercy fulle charite, 
Chase he not the on [of] his xij. to bee 1 

He wald not the refuse ! 
Callyt not he the to his sopere and last reserectioun? 
Cowth thou not put owt thi pesyn and infectioun, 

Save thus only 
Unto thy master to be so unkind ? 
Was his tender gudnese owt of thy mynd 

So unnaturally e ] 
Gave he not to the his body in memorialle, 
And also in remembraunne perpetualle, 

At his suppere there ] 
He that was so comly and fayre to behold, 
How durst thou, cruelle hert, to be so bold 

To cawse hym dy thus here ? 
By thy treson my son here is sfayne ! 
My swete, swetist sone, how suld I refreyne 

This bludy body to behold J 
Josephe. Gud dere Marye, git you hence ! 
We shalle bery hym with alle reverence, 

And ly hym in the mold. 



RtCI.IQUl.fc ANTIQUE. 



137 



Have hir hence, John, now I desire. 

Johannes Evaungeliste. Com on, swete lady, I ;ow require; 

I shalle gife vow attendance. 
Josephe. On of yow women ber hir companye. 
Altera Maria. 1 shalle wayte on hir. Go we hence, Marye ; 

Put alle this from your remembrance. 
Marie Vvrgyn. Whatmeyn ye, frendes] what is your myndl 
Towardes me be not so unkinde, — 

His inoder am not 1 1 
Wold ye have the moder depart hym fro 1 
To lefe hym thus I wille not so. 

But bide and silt hym bye. 
Therefore, gad Joseph, be content ! 
Josephs. A ! A ! Marye, for a gud consent, 

We wald not have you here. 
Marie Vvrgyn. Wo!d ye renewe mor sorow in me I 
Josephe. Nay, gud lady, that were pitee. 
Marye Jtrgyne. Than late me abide hym nere. 
John, why spek ye not for my comforte ! 
Mi dere sone bad me to you resorte. 

And all way on you calle. 
Ye fcnaw welle her is my tresure 
Whom I love beste, whom alle my plesure 

Is and ever be shall 1 
Her is my likingo and alle my love ! 
Why wald ye than me hens remove ? 

I pray yow hartly cesse ! 
Departe I may not hot by fors constreynyd, 
Itemembringe departinge ales ! my hert is paynid ! 

Mor then I may expresse : 
Now, dere swete coysyne, I vow praye, 
Myn awn dere love which on Thursdaye, 

Of his grace specialle, 
Of his lovinge mynd and tendernesse, 
And of verrey inward kindnesse. 

At suppere emanges you alle, — 
He admyttid you frendly for to reste. 
And slepe on his holye godly breste, 
ffor a specialle prerogatife, 
Because of your virginite and clennesse. 
Der cosyn, encrease myn hevynesse, 

Yf ye desire my life; 
Bui, gud frendes, here intreyt not ye. 
But be content, and suffere mee 
Ons yit for to hold — 
ffor to holde here in this place, 



138 



REL1QUIJ5 ANTIQUE. 



And in myn armys for to embrace 

This body, which now is cold, — 
This bludy body woundit so sore 
Of my swet son, John, I aske no more ! 
John Evaungeliste. Lady, if ye wille have moderaliouo 
Of youre most sorowfulle lamentacioun, 

Do as ye list in this case. 
Marie Virgyne. John, I shalle do os ye thinke gude : 
Gentille Josephe, lat me sit under your rude, 

And holde my sone a space. 
Nichodemus. Let us suffere the modere to compleyn 
Hir sonnes dethe in verrey certeyn, 

Till ease hir and content. 
Josephe. Ye, so shalle hir sorrowfulle harte 
Alway to suffere smarte. 

And we can bot repente. 
Marie Virgyne. sisters Mawdleyn, Cleophe, and Jat 
Ye see how pitefulle my sons doth lye, 

Here in myne armys dede ! 
What erthly mother may refreyn, 
To se hir sonc thus cruelly sleyn ? 

A ! my harte is hevy os lede ! 
Who shalle gife me water sufficient. 

And of dislillinge teris habundaunce, 
That I may wepe my fille, with hart relent, 

After the whantite of sorofulle remembraunce ? 
ffor liis sak that made us alle. 

Which now ded lyes in my lappe, 
Of me a mayd by grace specialle 

He pleside to be borne and sowket my pape ; 
He shrank not for to shew the shape 

Of verreye man at his circumcision. 
And ther shed his blude for mannys hape ; 

Also at my purificatioun 
Of hym I made a fayre oblatioun, 

Which to his fader was most plesinge ; 
ffor fere than of Herodes per^ecutioun, 

Intille Egipe fast I fled with hym : 
His grace me gidid in every thinge : 

And now is he dede ! that changes my chere ! 
Was never child to moder so lovinge ! 

Who that cannot wepe at me may lere ! 
Was never deth so cruelle as this, 

To slo the gyvcre of alle grace ! 
Son, suffer ine your woundes to kisse, 

And your holy blude spilt in this place ; 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJE. 139 

Dere sone, ye have steynyd your face, 

Your face so frely to behold ! 
Thikk bludy droppes rynnes down apace, — 

Speciosus forma the prophet told, 
But alese ! your tormentes so manyfold 

Hase abatid your visage so gloriose ! 
Cruelle Jewes, what mad yow so bold 

To commyt this cryme most ungraciose, 
Which to yourself is most noyose] 

Now shalle alle the cursinges of your lawe 
Opon yow falle most myschevose, 

And be knawen of vagabundes over awe ! 
He and I com both of your kyn, 

And that ye kithe uncurteslye, 
He com for to for-doo your syn, 

But ye forsuke hym frowardly ! 
Who cannot wepe, com sit me bye 

To se hym that regnyd in blisse 
In hevyn with his fader gloryoslye, 

Thus to be slayn in alle giltlesse ! 
Son, in your handes ar holes wid, 

And in your fete that so tender were ! 
A gret wounde is in your blessit sid, 

ffulle deply drevyn with a sharpe spere ! 
Your body is bete and brussid here, 

On every sid no place is free ! 
Nedes muste I wepe with hevy chere, 

Who can not wepe com lerne at me ! 
And beholde your Lorde, myn awn der sone, 

Thus dolfulye delt with, ose ye see ! 
Se how his hede with thornys is thronge ! 

Se how he naylit was tille a tree ! 
His synows and vaynes drawne so straytlee, 

Ar brokyn sonder by payns ungude ! 
Who can not wepe, com lerne at me, 

And beholde hym here that hange on rude ! 
Se alle abowte the bludy streynes, 

O man, this suffer! he for thee ! 
Se s# many felle and bitter peynes, 

This lame shed his blude in fulle plentee ! 
Who can not wepe, com lerne at mee, 

Se alle his frendes is from hym fled ! 
Alle is but blude, so bett was hee, 

ffro the sole of his feete unto the hed ! 
O swete child, it was nothinge mete, 

Save your sufFeraunce ye had no pere, 



140 



BELIQUl.E ANT1QU.E. 



To lat Judas kissc these lippes so swete, 

To suffer a Iraylor to com so nere 
To betray his master niyldist of chere! 

my swete child, now suffer yee 
Me your moder to kiss yow here. 

Who cannot wepe com lerne at me, — 
To kisse and swetly yow imbrace, 

Imbrace and in myn armes hold, 
To hold and luke on your blessit face, — 

Your fate most graciose to behold ! 
To beliolde so comly ever I wold, 

1 wold, I wold stille with yow bee, 
Stille with yow to ly in mold, 

Who can not wepe com lerne at me .' 
My wille is to dy, I wald not leve, 

Leve how suld I, silhen dede ar yee I 
My lif were ye, noght can me greve 

So that I may in your presence bee. 
Me your wofulle moder her may ye se, 

Yc see my dedly aorow and payne, 
Who can not wepe, com lerne at mee. 

To see so meke a lambe her slayne, 
Slayne of men that no mercy hadd. 

Had they no mercy I reporte me see. 
To se this bludy body is not your hart sadd .' 

Sad and sorowi'ulle, have ye no piiee 1 
Pile and compassioun to se this crueltee ! 

Crueltee ! unkind nese ! O men most unkind. 
Ye that can not wepe, com lerne at mcc ! 

Kepinge this cruei fixe stille in your mind; 
When ye war borne of me a roayde myld, 

I sange '■ lullay" to bringe you on slepe. 
Now is my songe, ''alese! ales! my child!" 

Now may I wayle, wringe my handes, and wept 
Who shal be ray comforth 1 who shalle me kepe \ 

Save at your departinge ye segnyt to mee, 
John your cosyn most vertuusand jepe, 

Who that can not wepe, com and lerne at mee! 
O dercst childe, what fait haf ye done 1 

What was your trispace ? I wald knaw il fayne, 
herlbr your blessid blude is forsid forth to rome, 

Have murtherid any person or ony mannB -!■:>>"' 
That your awn pcpille thus to yow dose endeyne, 

Nay, nay, nay, ye never did offence, 
W as never spote of syne in your cleie Lunscieiiee ! 

And noUviliislandinge their telle indignatioun, 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 141 

Only of gudwille and'inward charitee, 

Also for love and mannes salvatioun, 
}e have suffert alle this of your humylitee ! 

Of your large mercee gret was the whantite, 
Grete was the multitude of your merites alle, 

Thus for mannes sake to tast the bitter galle ; 
Sone, helpe, help your moder in this wofulle smarte, 

Comfurth your wofulle moder that never was unkind, 
In your conceptioun ye reyoyet my harte, 

But now of dedly woo so gret cawse I find, 
That the joy of my haylsinge is passid fro my mynd, 

Yit suffer me to hold yow her on my lape, 

Which sumtym gafe you my Ik of my pape ! 
O swete, swetist child, woo be unto me ! 

O most wofulle woman, your awn moder, loo ! 
Who shalle graunt it me with you fore to dee 1 

The son is dede, what shalle the moder doo ! 

Where shalle sho resorte ? whider shalle sho goo 1 

Yit suffere me to hold yow a while in my lap, 

Which sumtym gafe yow my Ik of my pap I 
O crewelle deth, no lengere thou me spare ! 

To me thou were welcom and also acceptabille ! 
Oppresse me down at ons, of the I have no care ! 

O my son, my saveyour, and joye most comfortabille, 

ssuffere me to dy with yow most merciabille, 

Or at lest lat me hold you a while in my lape, 

Which sumtyme gave yowe the milk of my pape ! 
O ye wikkit pepille, without mercy or pitee, 

Who do ye not crucyfye and hinge me on the crosse 1 
Spare not your nayles ! spare not your crueltee ! 

Ye can not make me to rone in greter losse 
Than to less my son, that to me was so dere, 

Why sloo ye not the moder which is present here ? 
Dere sone, if the Jues yit wille not sloo me, 

Your gudnes, your grace, I besech and praye, 
So calk me to your mercy of your benignitee, 

To youre mek suters ye never saide yit naye ! 

Then may ye not your moder in this cause delay e, 
The modere with the child desires for to reste, 
Remembere, myne awne sone, that je sowket my breste ! 

Remember, when your fleshe was soft os tender silke, 
With the grosse metes then yow I wold not fede, 

But gave yow the licour of a maydyns mylke ! 
Tille Egipe in myne armes softly I did you lede, 
But your smylinge contenaunce I askit non other mede ! 
Then be content that I with you may riste, 



Ma 
All: 

Yit 



Remembere, my der son, that je sowkit my briste ! 
At your nativitee remember, my dere sone, 

I What vesselle I brochit to your nobille grace, 

Was ther never moder that brochit sich a tone, 
ffrom my virgyne pappes mylk ran awt apasse, 
To your godly powerc natur gaf a place. 
Ye sowkit maydens milke and so did never none ; 
Nore herafter shalle, save yourself alone ; 
When ye sowkid my brest your body was hole ami sound, 
Aleje, in every place now se I many wound! 
Now help me, swet Mawdleyn, for 1 falle to the ground. 
And me wofulle Mary help now, gud John ! 
John Evaungeliste. Than, guile swete lady, lif your gret mot 
Mary Virgyn. A! A! Mawdleyn, why devise ye nothing? 
To this blessid body for to gif praysinge % 
Sum dolorose ditee express now yee, 
In the dew honour of this ymage of pitee. 
Mawdleyn. To do jour biddynge, lady, be we righte fayn, 
But yit, gud lady, your teres ;e refreyn. 
Jasephe. Now, Mary, deliver that blissit body tille us. 
Mary virgyn. Wille 3e tak from me myn own sone Jin 
Nichodemus. Good lady, suffre us to bringe hym to his grav 
Mary virgyn.. Swete frendis, suffer me mor respit to have 
Have compassioun of me, 1'rendes, I jou praye, 
So hastely fro me tak hym not awaye ! 
Yf to his sepulcre nedis ye wille hym bere, 
Bery me his modcr with myn awn son here ! 
When he was lyvynge to leve I desivid, 
Now sithen he is ded alle my joye is expirid ; 
Therefor lay the moder in grave with the child! 
Johannes Ecaungelisla. Mary modere and maiden m 

myld, 
Ordere yourselfe os resone dot requere ! 
Josephs. Com on, lat us bery this body that is here .' 
Mary Virgin. now myn harte is in a mortalle dred, 
' shalle I not kep hym, no there whik ne ded, 
Is ther no remedye ? 
'it, Josephe, agayn the cloth ye unfold, 
That his graciose visage I may ons behold, 

I pray yow interlye ! 
Josepke. Pece, gude Marye, ye have had alle your wille. 
" i Virgyn, Ales! this depart in ge my tender hart doth k: 
coysyn John, yit spek a word for mee. 
hann'e Eeaungeli'ste. Be content, swet Mary, for it may- 
bee, 
Mary Virgyn. A! A! toward me ye be verreye craelle, 



RELIQULS ANTIQUES. 143 

Yit lat we bid ons myne own son farwelle ! 

Ye may it not denye. 
Now farewelle, only joye of alle my harte and mynd ! 
ffarewelle, the derest redemptioun of mankind, 

Suffert most bitterlye ! 
Johanne Evaungeliste. Com one, Mary, come. 
Nichodemus. Some of your women ber hir companye. 
g. Maries. We shalle gife hire attendance, 
ffaithfully with humble reverance. [Exeunt. 

Josephe. Now in his grave lat us ly hym downe, 
And then resorte we agayn to the towne [sepelitur. 

To here what men wille saye. 
Mawdleyn, ye must hense departe. 
Mawdleyn. Ye, and that with a sorewfulle harte, 

Mowrnynge nyght and daye ! 
ffarewelle, swete lambe ! farwelle, most innocent ! 
Wrichit Mawdleyn with most hartly intent 

Commendes hir to your grace ! 
ffarewelle, der master ! farwelle, derest lord ! 
Off your gret mercy e je shalle the world record, 

Herafter in ylk place ! 
Summe preciose balmes I wille go bye, 
Tille anoynt and honour this blessit body, 

Os it my dewty is. 
ffayre Josephe and gude Nichodemus, 
I commend 30U to the kepinge of Jhesus, 

He wille whit 30U alle this. 
Josephe. ffarewelle, Mawdleyn, to yourself comfurth take, 
Of this blessit berialle lat us ane end make ! 
Here now is he gravid and here lyes hee, 
Which for love of man of his charite 

Suffert bitter passioun. 
Gret comforthe it is unto us alle, 
That the thride day aryse he shalle 

In the most gloriose fassioun. 
The tyme drawethe fast and approchis nere, 
Schortly I truste sum gud tidinges to here : 
Devowte Nichodemus, departe we as nowe. 
Nicodemus. Gladly, frende Joseph, I wille go with jowe. 

Thus here endes the most holy beriale of the body of Christ 
Jhesu. 

mm. 



144 RELIQULK ANTIQUE. 

A MYSTERY OF THE RESURRECTION. 

[From the same manuscript.] 

Her begynnes his Resurrectioun on Pashe-daye at morn. 

Mawdleyne begynnes sayinge, 

O this grete hevynese and payn ! 
Alese, how longe shalle it remayn 1 

How longe shalle it endure 
And rist within mv most carfulle hart ? 
How longe shalle I feyle this dedly smarte 1 

Who shalle my sorowe cure ? 
How longe shalle I lif in desolatioun ? 
When shalle the houre com of consolatioun, 

That mv master I mave see. 
Which opon the friday laste, 
Was crucified and nail it fast 

Peteoslv tille a tree ? 
So pyteose a sight and lamentabille, 
So dolorose and miserabille, 

I hop ye shalle never fynd ! 
Cursid Kavn was verrey cruelle, 
And slew his awn brothers Abelle, 

Of a maliciose mynd; 
Yit was he not so maliciose 
Ose the cruelle Jewes most owtrajiose, 

Which here has slayne my Lord ! 
The sonnes of Jacob gret envy had 
Agayns ther brother Joseph, jonge, wise, and sad, 

Os Scriptur doth record; 
Thay intendit to slo hym malishosly, 
And yit thay did not soo cruelly 

Os wrought thes Jewes wild ! 
ffewe 3eres past Herod the kinge 
Put to deth many 3onglinge, 

And many moders child, 
Here in the land of Israelle ; 
But of such cruelte harde ye never telle 

Ose done was one friday e, 
When so grete rigore and tyrannye 
Was in theire hartes to garre hym dye, 

Which was so graciose aye. 
Abelle and Josephe wer gude and graciose, 
But theire dedis were not so gloriose, 

Nor of so virtuose kynd, 
Ose of hym which, in his humanitee, 



RELIQUIjE ANTIQUJE. • 145 

W rough grete myracles in his divinitee, 

Als ye may calle to mynd ; 
ffi>r alle his werkes so welle devyside, 
Emange tham thus to be dispised, 

And with cruelty slayne ! 
Ales ! when I remembere his woo, 
Scantly may I speke or goo, 

In harte I have suche payne ! 
I have bought here oyntment preciouse 
To enslave his body most graciose, 

To do it reverence : 
My sister Cleophe saide that shee 
To the sepulchre wald goo with mee, 

And doo hir diligence. 
Of the thrid day this is the mornynge, 
And of my dere master yit herd I nothinge. 

Wherfor I am most hevee ! 
Alese ! felishipe her is noone ! 
Hathere then I faile I wille go alone : 

A ! dere Lorde, your mercee ! 

Secund Marye commys in, and sais, 

A! my harte, what thou art faynt ! 

How longe shalle we thus mak complaynt 1 

So sorowfulle tym never was ! 
When shalle comforth com of our desire 1 
What woman is this that lyes here ? 

It is Mawdleyn, alese ! 
Sister Mawdleyn, why waile ye on this wise ! 
Gud sister, we pray 30U stand up and arise ! 

Comforth yourself wyslye ! 
Mawdleyn. Off your commynge, sister, I am glade, 
I-wise I knaw welle that $e be sadd, 

Ye have cawse os welle os I ! 
Secund Marye. Ther is no gud creatur dar I saye, 
But inwardly sorowe he may 

And compleyn bitterelye : 
To remembere the felle torment, 
And cruelle payne of this innocent, 

Which levit so vertuoslye. 
Of his meknese hymself he offred, 
Whatsoever payn to hym was profred, 

This lambe God sone is free ; 
Nothinge ragid he ne was unpaciente, 
But ever most mekly tille his payne he went, 

With bayne benignitee ! 

'OL. II. U 



146 



RELIQL'IjE ANTUH'Ji. 



ffrom the tyin of Abrahame, 

And that our friders from Egip came, 

Or when sorow was maste, 
I am suere was never day so piteouse, 
So doolfulle and so dangerouse, 

Osc Friday that is paste ; 
When alle ihe crueltye was owtsought. 
To distroy hym made alle thing of noght, 

To sloo hym that gyves life. 
Owl of my mynd this never gooshalle. 
That for man diete the maker of alle, 

By his manned passyve. 
Mawdleyn. So dolfulle a day was never befor this ! 
But go we to the monyment where his sepulcre is, 

To anoynte his body there. 
Secund Marye. Sisier 3 I com for that sam intent, 
Tlier is nothinge can me better content. 

To go I have no fere. 
Mawdleyn. Then, gude sister, lat us goo devowtlee. 
Secunde Marye. Abide, yonder comes Marye Jacobs 

I trow wjlh us sho willc goo. 

Thride Marye comys in. 
gude sisters, howe is it with jmve ] 
Mawdleyn. A ! dere sister, never soo eville os n 
Thrid Marye. Gud Mawdleyn, say not soo; 
This is the thrid day je remember wello. 
Mawdleyn. The hot of my master and lordc I here not It 

Therfore I can not cease : 
We were goynge to monyment, 
Wher os lyeth that swete innocent, — 

Loo here ! oyntmentes of swetnese ! 
Thrid Marye. Gude sisters, on yow shalie I wayte. 
Secunde Marye. Then let us tak the way furtli stray! 
Mawdleyn. Sisters, I perceyve the place is her bye, 
Lat us ordeyn our oynlraentes occordinglye, 

With alle 'humylite; 
Here lyes he that was mcrcifulle to synners alle, 
Here lyethe he most pitcose when we did calle ! 

Com nere, sisters, and see. 
Loo, here is the place wher the body was laid, 
Which borne was of a virgyn and a cleyne maid, 

Tille honour it grete cawse have wee ; 
Gud sisters, be we not affrayd 

To do hym reverence and dewtee. 
Bore he lyeth whose lif sunnountes alie other, 



RELIQUIjR ANTIQUjE. 147 

» 

Which raysed from deth to ly ve L^arus my brother, 

Now a levinge man ! 
He lyese here, which by hys powre devyne 
In Chana Galilee turnyde water to wyne, 

Ose many testyfy can. 

The angelle spekes, 
Whom seke ye, women sanctifiede ] 

Three Maryes togider sais, 

Jhesus of Najareth crucified, 

The redemer of mankind ! 
Angelle. He is resy ne, he is not here ; 
To his discipules he shalle apere, 

In Galilee thay shalle hym fynd ! 
Mulier, quid ploras 1 Woman, why wepis thou soo 1 
Mawdlen. fFor myn fyarte is fulle of sorow and woo ; 
My Lorde, that was the kinge of blisse, 
Is takyn away, I wat not wher he is. 
Angelle. Com hidere, woman, approche mor nere : 
Be of gude comfurth and of gud chere, 

fFor so gret cawse ye have ; 
He that ye seke so beselye, 
With gucte mynd so faytnfullye, 

Is resyn here from his grave ! 
The son of Gode, in his humanite, 
SufFerde deth, and, by his divinitee, 

Is resyn the thrid daye ! 
ffor redemption of man was he borne, 
Displayede on the crose, and alle to-torne 

In righte piteose araye ! 
The batelle is done and victorye renuyd, 
The grete enmy of man therby is subduyd, 

That most hatid mankynd ; 
Com hidder, and behold with your eye 
The place where the body did lye, — 

Be joyeos now of mynd ! 
Loo, here is the cloth droppid blud, 
Which was put on hym takyn of the rud, 

Ose yourself did see ; 
ffor a remembraunce tak it yee, 
And hy yow fast to Galilee, 

fFor ther apper shalle hee. 
Mawdleyn. Yit must myn herte wepe inwerdelye, 
Yit must I mowrne contynuallye, 

Myndinge my master dere ! 



14S 



RELIQV1.E aNTIQCjK. 



O what myn harle is hevy and lothe. 
When I beholds this piteose clothe. 

Which in my hande is here ! 
This cloth with blude that is so stayned. 
Of a maydens child so sor constraynid, 

On cross when he was done ! 
O rygore unright ! crueltee ! 
wikkit wylfullenese 1 perversitee! 

hartes harde os slone ! 
To put to deth a lamb so meke, 

Welle may the teres rone down your cheke, 

Welle may your hartes relent; 
Myndinge the payn my lorde and master felte, 

in my body my herte now dothe melle ! 

To dy I were content ! 
Secund Marye. Sister Mawdlen, to blame ye are. 
With this dedly sorow yourself to marre, 

Yourself thus to torment ! 
Ye torment yourselfe and crucifye. 
Ye have cawse to tak gladnes, and whye, 

Ye have prove evident : 
That your master and oures by his Godly myght 
Is reseii from deth to lyfe, an angelle bright 

Schewes thes tidinges title us ; 
And shewed us the place wher his body laye. 
Which is not ther, for-thi let passe awaye 

Our sorow most grovouse. 
Tlirid Marye. Sister Mawdleyn, in your hart be stain 
Wc shalle here tidinges right comfortabille, 

And yit I trust shortlye; 
flbr that is suth veritabiMe, 

Saide so afore suthlye, 
Mawdleyn. A ! A ! sisters, my slewth and my n 

1 have not don my dewty ne my diligence, 

Ose unto me did falle : 
At my masters sepulcre if I hade gifen attendaunce, 
And waytid wisely with humble affiance, 

Os I was bounde uiost of alle, 
I shuld have seyn his uprisings glqriose, 
Of my swete lorde of the which desirose 

1 am, and nodes must bee. 
Alese ! sisters, I was to tidiose 

That holy sight to see ! 
Than I shuld have had comforth uncomyiorabilh 
Ul the which joye to speke I am not abille. 

Than I hade seyn my Lorde 



RELIQUUE ANTIQUJ3. 149 

To have resyn from his sepulture, 

With his bludy woundes of hym I had bene sure ! 

Ales ! when I record 
How I myghte have had a sight of your presence, 
Who then aught of verrey congruence 

To be mor glad than I ] 
Which ye have callid by your grace onlee, 
Beynge gretist synner unto your large mercee, 

And that most curtesly : 
Whoso wille not wayte when that tym is, 
When faynest he wold thereof shalle he mysse, 

So it fans by mee : 

wold to God I had made more haste ! 
My slewthfulle werke is now in wast, 

Jit, gud Lord, have thou pitee ! 
When Symon to dyner did hym calle, 
Amonges the gestes and straungers alle, 

With meknese soberlye, 

1 com in with mynde contrite, 
ffor I hade levid in fowlle delite, 

In syn of licherye ! 
Notwithstandinge the gret abhomynatioun 
Of my grete synnes, fulle of execratioun, 

Yit of his benignity, 
As with alle mercy he was replete, 
He sufferte me with teris to wesh his fete, 

Loo ! his mercyfulle pitee ! 
My synfiille lippes which I did abuse 
To towch his blessit fleshe, he wald not refuse, 

And ther right oppenlye, 
Off his most piteouse tendernese, 
The pardone of my synnes and gret excesse, 

He gave to me hoolye, 
How may I wringe, both wepe and wayle, 
Myndinge on Friday his gret bataile, 

He had on crosse of tree : 
And tuk opon hym for us alle, 
To overcom the fend that made us alle, 

A ! sisters, welle mowrne may wee ! 
Secunde Marye. Sister Mawdleyn, it is bot in vayn, 
Thus remedilesse to mak compleyn, 

Therfor it is the best, 
Ych on of us a diverse way to take ; 
His apperinge joyfulle may us make, 

And set our hartes in reste. 
TTie thride Marye. Ye, to sek andinquere let us hast and hye; 



150 



RELIQUI.E ANTIQU.E 



Sister Mawdlene, this is next remedy®, 

And therefore de parte wee. 
MaiL-dleyne. Lorde and master.' help us in hje 

To have a sight of thee. 

Tunc exeunt ha tres Maria:. Pelrus intra! Jlens a 

allmyghty God, which, with thyn inward ee, 

Seest the depest place of mannys conscience, 
And knowest every thinge most cler and perfitiee, 

Have mercy, have pitee, have thnu compatieni 

1 confesse and knowlege my most gret offence, 
My fowle presumptioun and unstabilnetse, 

Let thi mekille mercy overflows my synfulnesse, 
And yit I knaw welle, 
No erthly thinge can telle, 

Nor jit it expresse ! 
My fawtes and gret syn, 
Which I am wrappid in, 

With dedly hevinesse, 
Ther may not be lightly a greter trispesse, , 

Then the servaunt the master to denye, 
His owne master, his own kind master, alesse! 

I make confessioun here most sorow fully e. 

That I denyed maysler and that most unkindly t 
ffor when thay did enquere, if that I did hym knoo, 
I saide I never sawe hym, alesse ! why did I soo 1 
With teres of contritioun. 
With teres of compassioun, 

Welle may I loowrnynge make ! 
What a fawte it was, 
The servaunte, alas ! 

His master to forsake ! 
When his grace callid me fro wardly besines, 

And of a poorc fishere his discipule cfaas ddm 
I was callit Symon Bariona, playnly to expresse, 

But he namid me Petrus, — Petra was hee, 

Petra is a stone fulle of stabihtee, 
Alway stedfaste, alase ! wherfor was I 
Not stabille accordinge to my nam stedfastlye 1 
O my fehille promesse ! 
my gret unkindnesse ! 

To my shame resarvyd : 
O myndo so unstabille, 
Thow hast made me culpabille, 

Deth I have deservyd : 
It plesid thy gudnese gret kindncse to shew uitT, 



RELIQUIjE ANTIQUE. 151 

Callinge me to thi grace and gudly conversatioun, 
And when it pleasid thi Godhed to tak but three 

To beholde and see the highe speculatioun, 

Of thy Godly majestye in thy transfyguratioun, 
Thy specialle grace did abille me for one, 
With the gud blessid James and thi cosyn John, 
Alese ! that I was so unkind 
To hym, so tender of mynd 

To me most unworthye ! 
Alese ! the paynes ar smarte, 
Which I fele at my harte, 

And that so bitterlye : 

Lorde, what example of meknesse shewed yee ! 

On Thursday after supere it pleasid your grace, 
To wesh your servauntes fete who ever are did fee, 

More perfite me knese shewet in any case, 

I myself was present in the same place ; 
Alese ! of myself why presumyd I, 
Consideringe your meknese don so stedfastlye, 
A ! myn unkinde chaunce, 
When it commys to remembraunce, 

In my mynde it is ever : 

1 fele owt of mesure, 

Dedly payne and displesure, **■ 

That I can not dessevere : 
O mercyfulle Redemer, who may yit recounte, 

The paynes which thiself for us did endure : 
Unworthy if I were, I was with the in the mount, 

Where thou swet bludy droppes man saule to recure, 

In that gret agonye I am right verrey sure 
Stony hartes of flint thou wald tham have mevid, 
Seynge thy tendernese to man by the relevid. 
O that passion was grete, 
When blud droppes of swet 

Ran downe apace. 
That was excedinge payne 
In every membere and vayne, 

As apperit by his face. 
Of Judas thow were betrayede by and bye, 

Which was thy discipulle and familiere with the, 
It grevid the more, I knew it certanlye, 

He was fede at thi burde of thi benignitee : 

And 3e were betrayed by his iniquitee ; 
Yf a straunger had don that dede so tray torouse, 
It had beyn mor tolerabille and not so grevowse. 
David did say in prophecye 



152 



i-IijUi-E ANTIQtlJS. 



" Homo pacis mete in quo speravi 

Supplantavit me." 
Lord, your pacience may be perceyvid. 
Which suffert so to be betrayed 

Of Judas, woo is hee ! 
ffulle of wo may 1 bee sorowfulle and pensy ve, 

Complenynge and wepinge with botow imvert 
And wep bitter teres alle the days of my life, 

Mynunstabillo deiinge is ever in myn ee. 

I saide I wald not leve my master Ibr to dee. 
He said I shuld forsak hym or the CTok crow thris. 
But I was presumptuose, unware, and u 
Afterwerd, when nee 
Lokid upon mee 

With a myld cowntenaunce, 
Ose he stude on the ground, 
Emange his enmyse bownd, 

I wepit abundaunce ! 
Then my teres continuelly 
Ran down most sorowfully. 

And yit thay can not cesse ! 
How may I cesse or stynte ? 
Yf my harte wer of rlinte, 

1 have caus to wepe dowtlese ! 
caytife ! wofulle wreche ! 
From thy harte thou may feche 

Sore and sighes depe : 
O most unkind man. 
What creatur may or can 

The from sclaunder kepe. 
To forsake thi master so tender and so gw 

Which gave to the the keyes of alle holy kirke; 
And morover for thy sake shed his owne bind, 

synfulle caytyfe, now aught I sore tille irke ! 
Ales ! John, why did not I 
rTolow my master so tenderlye, 

Os je did, to the ende ? 
But for ye deft soo stedfastlye, 
My master gave you Marye 

To kep in your commend. 
Yf this dedly woo and sorowe 
Endure with me unto to-morowe, 

Myn hart in sunder wille broke ! 
Now, Lorde, for thi tender mercyea aUe, 
Reconcyle me to grace and to thi mercy calle! 

Ales ! I may not speke ! 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 153 

Et sic cadit in terrain flens amare. Andreas /rater Petri 
dicit, 

A ! brothere Peter, what nedes alle this ? 
I se welle good cowncelle wille yow mysse, 

Dry up vour teres and rise ! 
Comforth yourselfe, I require yow and praye, 
We shalle have gud tidinges, this is the thrid day, 

Sorow not in this wise. 
Johannes Evaungelist. Stand up, gud brothere, and mesar 

your hevynese, 
This great contritioun of your hart dowtlese 

To God is plesant sacrifice. 
Petrus. A ! gud brethere Andrewe and John, 
Was never creatur so wo begone 

Os I wrech most unwyse ! 
ffor rememberinge the infinite gudnese 
Of my Lorde, and my most unkyndnese 

Don so writchitlye, 
At my hart sorow sittes so sore, 
That my dedly payne encreses mor and more ; 

Alese ! my gret folye ! 
Andreas. Gud brother Peter, yourself je comfort, 

Ther is none of aile hot comfurth may he hafe, 
ffor emonges us agayn our Lorde shalle resorte, 

T3y his rassioun his purpasse was mankind to save. 

This is the thrid daye in which from his grave 
He shalle arise fro deth, I have no dowte, 
Therfor lett comfurth put this sorowe owt ! 
Brothere Peter, thee verrey truth to saye, 

ffew of us alle hade perfit stedfastnesse, 
But sumwhat dowtid and wer owt of the waye, 

Notwithstandinge of his Godhede the clernesse, 

Shewed by his miracles with alle perfitnesse. 
And yf ye remember, brothere, in his last oblatioun, 
He spak of our unstabilnesse and of his desolatioun. 
Saynge " Omnes vos scandalum patiemini," 

Alle ye shalle suffer sclaunder for me, 
Os who say ye shalle forsak me a lonly, 

The hirdman shal be strikyn, and the flokk, which 
we bee, 

Schal be disperbilit and away shalle flee ! 
Loo ! gud brother Peter, he knew our frealtes alle, 
Our gude master is mercifulle and graciose withalle, 
And yow, brother Peter, the most specialli 

Hase cause of comfurth, for of his church the hed 

VOL. II. W 






154 RELIQUI.fi ANTIQU.fi. 

He chace you by order by his grace frelye. 

ffor-tlu from your harte put this fere and dred ; 

Yf ye remember he said to yow in dede, 
" Thy faith shalle never fade whatsoever befalle," 
Therfor have gud hope aad comforth specialle. 
Ye askit hym ons a whestioun wherwith be was content, 

" How oft to your brother synne ye shuld telese"— 
Ye thought, vij. tymes were verrey sufficient, 

But he said " sevynty tymes and vij. ye suld forgvf 
dowtelese," 

A gret now[m]ber it plesit hym tille expresse ; 
The gTet frelty of man he saw in his Godly mynd, 
ffor-thy for your trispace pardon may ye find ; 
Howbeit of yourself to presume to blame ye were, 
Man that is "freale of hymsclf suld have fere ; 
Your pennaunce contntioun acceptabille must bee, 

Ther for in your harte rejoye ye may be fayne, 
Rememberinge he has put in gret auctoritef, 

That he has saide ons he wille never calle agayne. 

"Quodcumque ligaveris," he said, thes i 
playne, 
And gave yow tho keyes of hevync and of helle, 
So to lowse and to bynd this can we alle telle. 
Johannes Evaungelisia. Gude brother Peter marko 
and note 

The wordes of Andre we beyn sadd and ponderose, 
In your conscience I knaw welle is no;t so great tnote, 

But that mercy may clere it of hym that is sograciose. 

PeraventuT it was the wille of our master J 
That 3e shuld not be present his psissioun to see, 
Which be hade on the hille in the most crueltee ; 
Peter, if ye had seynyour mastere at that poynt, 

I trou that syjt had beyn to hevy to yow tille endure 
He had torment apon torment in every vayn andjoynt. 

He was so harde nailet to that pay nf idle lure ; 

His flesh that was so tender born of a mayden pure, 
And was wont to be towchid with virgyns hand' 
Was al to-torn most piteosly from hede to the fet : 
When his body was halid and stritchid with ropes. 

To caws his armes and fet to the holes extend, 
Then the nayles dreffyn in and of the bludc dropes 

Ran owt so plentuosly, his wille it was to spend, 

Alle his precios blude mannes sor tille amend, 
Wilbowt complent he sufFert the nayles and the 
But grelist payn that lie had was for his moder dere, 
He sufferd patiently, 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 155 

To be betrayed unkindly, 

To be accusid falsly, 

To be-intreytid cruelly, 

To be scornynd most dedenynglye, 

To be juged wrangfully, 

To be dampnyt to deth dolfully, 

With other paynes sere ! 
To be crucified piteosly, 
To be woundid universally, 

With scourges, nayles, and spere. 
ffor thes causes he wald be born of a maid most obedient, 

Now the gret rawnsom is paied which was requirid, 
ifor redemptioun of man of the fader omnipotent, 

The tyme of desolation is now expirid, 

The tyme of grace is commen so longe of us desirid, 
Hevyn jeates so longe closid for gret syn, 
Our Saveyour gafe yow the keyes to open and to lat in, 
He knew welle for his deth we shuld be afrayed, 

And therfor ose $e remembere he told us afore, 
His Godhed saw welle that we shuld be dismaid, 

Of his resurrectioun he comfortid us therfore, 

He saide he shuld arise and live everemore, 
This is the thride daye, therfor dowt nothinge, 
But shortly we shalle here of his gloriose uprisinge. 
Brother, I wold tarrye with yow longe here, 

But nedes I must go to the virgyn mylde, 
Most sorowfulle is hir hart, most hevy is hir chere, 

Alle ioye and comfurthe from hir is exilde ! 

Alle hir rememberance is of hir dere childe ! 
My master assignyt me to gyve hir attendance, 
And that is my dewtye with alle humblye observaunce. 
Hir sorow increacyse aye, 
As welle nyght os daye, 
In most piteose araye, 

ffor I dar say suerlye, 
Sen hir son was betrayed, 
And in his grave layde, 
The maid hase me dismaide, 

ffor sorow inwerdlye ! 
That sho nowther tukrist ne slepe,. 
Ne from hevynese hirself cowth kepe, 
But evermore stille dose she wepe ; 

That I am verrey sure, 
Hartes harder then stone, 
Wold be mollyfyed anone, 
And melte to see hire mone, 

That sho dose endure : 



]5G reuqui£ antique;. 

To hire hir mourn so moderlye, 
To se hir wep so tenderlye, 

Alle rayn bert it fayles : 
Now she spekes of the scornes, 
Now she remembers the thornes. 

And the grete sturdy nayles ! 
Now she spekes of his pacience, 
Now she myndes his obedience, 

That unto deth was; 
Now of his visage spekes shee, 
Defilid with deformyte. 

Of fowlle spittinge, alasse ! 
Now of his woundes dos she speke, 
And of the spere which did hreke 

Hir sonnes blessid sid ; 
Thus is she alle comfurthlesse, 
Replet with alle dulfulnesse, 

Therfor I may not bide : 
As for this tyme I wille departe. 
Brother Peter, be of gud harte, 

ffor other cause have ye none ! 
Now farwelle for a starte, 

I shalle 50W mete anone. 
Peter. Praye fore me, brother, for Godes sake. 
Johannes Evaungelista. Brothere, toyow no discomfur 

But truste ever faithfullye, 
We shalle have comforth 30urc sorowe to slake. 

And thai I trust shortlye. 

Tunc exit Johannes et dicit Petrus, 

Brothere Andrewe, God reward joue ever speciallye, 
ffor John and ye, with youre swete wordes a 
solatioun, 

Hase easid my mynd with comforte stcdfastlye . 

I am in trewe faith and hope without despera 
In my saule now havynge spiritualle jubilatu 

Trustinge on the mercy of my master and lord. 

Of whose infinite gudnese I shall ever record : 

Let the dew of mercy falle opon us ! 

Ostende faciem tuam et salvi erimus ! 

Scliewe thy powere, gud Lord, and to us appere. 

Let bcames of thi grace approche to us nere, 

Super nos writchit synners .' 

Intrat- Maria Magdalena. 
O I, writchit creature, what shalle I doo! 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 157 

© I* a wofulle woman, whidere salle I goo ? 

My Lorde wher shalle I find ] 
"When shalle I se that desirid face, 
"WTiich was so fulle of beuty and grace, 

To me the most unkind ? 
I have sought and basely inquerid 
Hym whom my harte alleway has desired, 

And so desiries stille ! 
Quern diligit anima mea quaesivi, 
Quesivi ilium et non inveni, 

When shalle I have my wille ! 
I have sought hym desirusly, 
I have sought hym affectuosly, 

With besines of my m3rnd ; 
I have sought hym with mynd hartely, 
The tresure wherin my hart dose lye, 

O deth, thou arte unkind ! 
On me use thou and exercise 
The auctorite of thyn office, 

My bales thou may unbind ! 
What effence, Deth, have I don to the, 
Which art so over unkind to mee 1 

Nay, nay, Deth, be not soo ! 
ffiliflD Jerusalem, wherof ye goo? 
Nunciate dilecto meo, 

Quia amore langueo ! 
Of Jerusalem the virgyns clere, 
Schew my best love that I was here, 

Telle hym, os he may prove, 
That I am dedly seke, 

And alle is for his love ! 

Jhesus intrat in specie ortalani dicens, 

Mulier, ploras, quern queris ? 

Wooman, why wepis thou 1 whom sekes thou thus ? 

Telle me whome thou wald have. 
Mawdlene. I sek my master and swete Lorde Jhesus, 

Which hir was layd in grave. 
Jhesus. Woman, thou mournest to piteoslye, 
And compleynist the most hevilye, — 

Thy mynd is not countent ! 
Thyn hart is trowblit welle, I see, 
Alle fulle doloruse, os thinkes mee, 

Thou has not thyn intente ! 
Maudleyn. Myn intent that knawes hee, 
On whom my hart is set and ay shal bee, 



158 RKLIQUtjK ANTIQUES. 

Gardener, I yowe praye, 
Schew onto mee, if ye can, 
Yf that ye did see here ony man 

Tak his body awaye. 

Jhesits dicit " Maria f" Mawdleyne answers " Rabat 
JJicms. Noli nie tangere ! 
Mary, towcbe me not now. 
But into Galilee go thowe, 

And to my brether saye, 
And to Peter which sorowfulle is, 
That I am rescue from dethe to lif ay in blisse, 

Renynge perpetuallye ! 
Exhort tham to be of gud chere 
And hastely wylle I to tham apere. 

To comfurth joefullye. [Exit JJiesus. 
Mawdleyn. O myn harte, wher hast thou bee t 
Coin home agayn and leve with mee, 

My gret sorow is past! 
Now may thou entotie a mery songe, 
ffor he whom thou desirid so longe 

I have foun now at laste! 
I thanke your grace with hert intere, 
That of youre gudnese to me wald apere. 

And make my hert thus light. 

Secund Marye intrat cum tertia. 
Soror, nuncia nobis : 

Gud Mawdleyne, sister, how standes with yow 1 
Mawdleyn, Dere sisters, never so welle os nowe, 

ffor I have hade a sight 
Of my lorde and master to my comfurth speeialle. 
To his godhed I render thankes immortalle, 

Os I am bound of dewtee ! 
Tkrid Marye. It apperis, suster, by your countenauni 
That the gret sorow is owt of remembraunce ; 
And so by your sawe gret cause have yee. 
Mawdleyn. 1 have gret cause, sisters, I knaw it welle, 
ffor of my joye he is the springe and welle, 

And of my lyfe sustenaunce. 
Secunde Marye. Have ye seyn our Lord, sister, are y 
Ufawdlene. Sister, I have seyne my gretist tresure, 

My hartly joye and plesaunce. 
Tkride Mary. A ! sister, gret comfort may your hart ii 
Mawdlene. Je, gude sister, be callit me Mary by my n 

And spak with me homlyc. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 159 

[ saw hym bodely, in flesh and bloode, 

Dure Redemere, which for us hang on the roode, 

He shewed hyme gratioslye. 
And bade me go to his disciples sone, 
Thanne to certifye of his resurrectioune, 

And so wille I shortely doo. 
Secunde Marie. A ! A ! Mawdleyne, right happee ye were, 
Ye spente not in vayn so many bitter tere, 

Gret grace is lent yow too. 

Tunc venit Jhesus et salutat mulieres istas tres. Tamen 
tnulieres nil dicunt ei, sed procidunt ad pedes ejus. 

Avete ! hayle, blessit women leve, 

My blessinge here I youe geve, 

Let sorow no more youre harte meve, 

But have comfort allwaye. 
I am resene fro deth, so may he telle, 
I have deliverit my presoners frome helle, 

And made tham sure for aye ! 
Mawdleyne. Now, gud sisters, be no more sadd, 
Ye have cause os welle os I to be gladd ! 

Oure Lorde, loo, of his gudnese, 
Of his heghe and godly excellence, 
Haves shewede us here his joyefulle presence, 

With wordes of swetnese ! 
My wordes wer not fantasticalle, sister, yee see ! 
I told youe no lesinge, sisters, report mee 

Ye have seyn with your eye. 
Thrid Mary. Oure spirites bene revivid, our hartes beyn light ! 
O Mawdleyne, this was a gloriose sight 

Eschewed to us gracioslye ! 
Secund Marye. Blessid be that Lorde ! blessit be that kinge, 
That haves comfurth us thus with his uprisinge 

So sone and glorioslye ! 
Mawdlen. Susters, in joye of this joyfullenese, 
A songe of comforte lete us expresse, 

With notes of armonye. 

Tunc hce tres cantant id est Victime Paschalis totum usque 
ad in cantifracto vel saltern in pallinodio. 

Tunc occurrent eis apostoli, scilicet, Petrus, Andreas, et 
Johannes, cantantes hoc, " Die nobis Maria quod vidisti in 
risu." Respondent mulieres cantantes, " Sepulcrum Chris ti 
rinctum " etc. usque ad l< credendem" Apostoli respondentes 
antant " Credendum est magis soli Marice verad, quod vides 



160 RELUH'I* ANTIQUE. 

turbe fallaci." Midxeres iterum eantant " Scitmtfi Chrv 
surrexisse rere." Apostoli. et mulieres eantant tjuasi cwiat- 
denies, " Tu nobis, Vhrixte rex, miserc. Amen t " Post cen- 
tum dicit Pelrtts (.mfficit si cantentur eisqxtt nolis et rantantv 
ut habelur in sequeiitia predicta), 

Pelnis dicit post cantum, 
How is it now, Marye, can ye telle 
Any newea which may lik us welle I 

Blithe is youre countenaunce ! 
Mawdleyn. Peter, in youre mynde be fast and stabihV, 
I can shew youe tydinges most comfortabille 

Trust it of assurance 
Petere. G ude Mary, of hym I wold knawlege have. 
Mawdleyne. Peter, oure master is resyn from his grave 

He apperit unto us three 
In fleshe and bone in a gloriose wise ; 
He hase restorid Adam and his into paradise, 

Which were in helle captivitee. 
Peter. God graunte youre wordes war not in vayne ! 
Mawdleue. Peter, that I saye is trew and certayne, 

And therfor dowt no more. 
Secun Marye. Brother we saughe our Lord face to fac 
He apperit to us in this same place. 

And bad as mowrne not so sore. 
Thride Mare. He bade us testify and telle 
That he was resyne in flesh and felle, 

And dy he shalle no more, 
Petrus. A 1 Mary, gret grace to youe is lent. 
To whom our Lord was so content 

Befor other tille apere. 
Mawdlen. He said ye alle shuld see hym in Galilee ; 
And, Peter, youreselfe expreslye namyd hee, 

Therfore be of grid chere. 
Andrewe. Yit to his sepulcre lat us go and see. 
To satisfye our myndes from alle purplexitee. 

Peter. So cownselle I we doo. 

Dine ibit precurrens Johannes dicit, 

Brothcre Peter, com hither and behold ! 
It is no fabille that Marye us hase told, 

This thinge iscerten, loo! 
How say ye 1 brother, be ye satisSed 1 
Petrus. Brothere John, I am fully certifyed 

To gife credens her too. 
Now shalle the suth be verefied I 



RELIQULS. ANTIQUE* 161 

Of hym that most may doo. 

myche ar we bound gud Lord to your highnes ! 

.ffor us wer ye born and also circumcised, 
ffbr us were ye tempid in the wildernese ; 

Now crucyfied to deth most shamfully dispised, 
Yit alle this gude Lorde had us not sufficyed, 
But ye had resene fro deth by your godhed gloriuse, 
Your resurrectioun was most necessarye for us, 
Youre meknese suffert deth for our salvatioun, 
And now are ye resen for oure justificatioun ; 

Youre name ever blessit bee ! 
Andrewe. This resurrectioun to alle the warld is consolatioun, 
ffor of oure fayth it is trew consolatioun, 

Approved by his divinitee. 
Johannes Evaungelista. Brether, joy and comfurth, and inward 
jubilatioun, 

And gostly gladnese in us alle encrease may ; 
"We have passid the tyme of dole and desolatioun, 

And also I am sure, and right wille dare I saye 

The joyfulle tresure of our hart we salle se this daye; 
Honour, joy, and glory, be to hym without end, 
"Which after sich sorow comfurte can send ! 
To laude and prayse hym lat us be abowt, 
To love hym and lofe hym and lawly hym lowt, 

With mynd and mowth devowtlye; 
Ther, brothere, with joyfulle harte, 
-And devowt sisters, in your parte, 

Entone sum ermonye. 

Tunc canient omnes, scilicet, " Scimus Christum." Vel 
^diam sequentiam ant ympnum de Resurrectione. Post carttum 
dicit Johannes finemfaciens, 

Xioo, downe fro hevyne evermor grace dos springe, 

The gudnese of God is incomperabille yee see ; 

Her was sorow and mournynge, lamentacion and wepinge, 
Now is joy and gladnese, and of comfurth plentee ; 

Joyfully depart wee now owt of this place, 

Mekly abicfinge the inspiratioun of grace, 

1 Whiche we belefe 
Schalle com to us this nyght. 
Now farwelle every wighte, 

We commend yow alle to his myght 
Which for us suffert grefe ! 

Explicit. 

HUU. 

VOL. II. X 



152 RELiaULK ANTIQC.B. 

" Homo pacis mere in quo speravi 

Supplantavit me." 
Lord, your pacience may be percoyvid. 
Which suffer! so to be betrayed 

Of Judas, woo is hee ! 
ffulle of wo may I bee sorowfnlle and pensyve, 

Complenynge and wcpinge with sorow inwerlle 
And wep bitter teres al!e the days of my life, 

Myn unstabille delinge is ever in myn ee. 

I saide I wald not leve my master fbr to dee. 
He said I shuld tbrsak bym or the crok crow thris, 
But I was presumptuose, unware, and unwise ! 
Afterwerd, when hee 
Lokid upon mee 

With a myld cowntenaunce, 
Ose he stude on the ground, 
Emange his enmyse bownd, 

I wepit abundaunce ! 
Then my teres continuelly 

Ran down most sorowfully, 

And yit thay can not cesse ! 
How may I cesse or stynte ? 
Yf my harte wer of flinte, 

1 have caus to wepe dowtlese ! 
caytife ! wofulle wreche I 

From thy harte thou may feche 

Sore and sighes depe : 
O most unkind man, 
What creatur may or can 

The from sdaunder kepe. 
To forsake thi master so tender and so gude. 

Which gave to the the keyes of alie holy kirke; 
And morover for thy sake shed his owne blud, 

synfulle caytyfe, now aught I sore lille irke ! 
Ales ! John, why did not I 
ffolow my master so tenderlye, 

Os je did, to the ende 1 
But for ye delt soo stcdfastlye, 
My master gave you Marye 

To kep in your commend. 
Yf this dedly woo and sovowe 
Endure with me unto to-morowe, 

Myn hart in sunder willo brake ! 
Now, Lorde, for thi tender mercyes allc, 
Reconcyle me to grace and to thi mercy calle ! 

Ales ! I may not speke ! 



RELIQUI.B ANTIQUE. 163 



NOTES OF POSSESSION. 

; was a common custom in early times for owners of books to write in 
n metrical notes of their right to possess and keep them. The following 
a few of such scraps. I may mention that the earliest printed book- 
e that I know of, is inserted in the MS. Claud. D. vii., being that of 
Henry Savile, the celebrated Antiquary and Historian. 

From MS. Ashm. 69, of the fifteenth century. 

Yee that desyre in herte and have plesaunce 

Olde stories in bokis for to rede, 

Gode matiers putt hem in remembraunce, 

And of the other take yee none hede ; 

Byseching yowe of your godely hede, 

Whane yee this boke have over-redde and seyne, 

To Johan Shirley restore yee it ageine. 

m MS. Harl. 1251, written by the Countess of Worcester, about the year 

1440. 

And I yt los, and yow yt fynd, 
I pray yow hartely to be so kynd, 
That yow wel take a letel payne, 
To se my boke brothe home agayne. 

Thys boke is one, 

And God's kors ys anoder ; 
They that take the ton, 

God gefe them the toder. 

From MS. Bib. Reg. 18, A. xvy., of the fifteenth sentuiy. 

He that stelys this booke 
Shul be hanged on a hooke. 
He that this booke stelle wolde, 
Sone be his herte colde. 
That it mow so be, 
Seith Amen for cherite. 

Qui scripsit carmen, 
Pookefait est sibi nomen. 
Miller jungatur, 
Qui scripsit sic nominatur. 

From MS. Harl. 45, of the fifteenth century. 

If ony persone stele this boke, 
He shal be hongyd by a hoke, 
Or by the necke with a rope. 



154 RELlQlil.E ANTIQUE. 

He cliaco you by order by his grace frelye. 

flbr-thi from your harte put this fere and dred ; 

Yf ye remember he said to yow in dede, 
"Thy faith shalle never faile whatsoever befalle," 
Therfor liave gud hope and comforth specialle. 
Ye askit hytn ons a wbestioun wherwith he was content, 

"How oft to your brother synne ye shuld relese" — 
Ye thought vij. tymes weTe verrey sufficient, 

But he said "sevynty tymes and vij. ye suld forgif 
dowtelese," 

A gret no\v[m]ber it plesit hym tille expresse ; 
The gret frelty of man he saw in his Godly mynd, 
ffor-thy for your trispace pardon may ye find ; 
Howbeit of yourself to presume to blame ye were, 
Man that is freale of hymseli suld have fere ; 
Your pennauuce contrilioun acceptable must bee, 

Ther for in your harte rejoye ye may be fayne, 
Rememberinge he has put in gret auctoritee, 

That he has saide ons he wille never calle agayne. 

" Quodcumque ligaveris," he said, thes wordes ar 
playne, 
And gave yow tho keyes of hevyne and of helle, 
So to lowse and to bynd this can we alle telle. 
Johannes Evaungelista. Gude brother Peter marke ye welle 
and note 

The wordes of Andrewe beyn sadd and ponderose, 
In your conscience I knaw welle is 11036 so great mote, 

But that mercy may clcreitof hym that is so graciose. 

Peraventur it was the wille of our master J lies us, 
That jc shuld not be present his passioun to see, 
Which ho hade on the hille in the most crucltee ; 
Peter, if ye had seyn your mastere at that poynt, 

I trou that syjt had beyn to hevy to yoiv tille endure 
He had torment apon torment in every vayn and joynt, 

He was so harde nailet lo that paynfulie lure; 

His flesh that was so tender born of a may-den putt; 
And was wont to be towchid with virgyns hand.es swat, 
Was al io-torn most piteosly from hede to the fet: 
When his body was halid and slritchid with ropes, 

To caws bis amies and fet to the holes extend, 
Then the nayles dreffyn in and of the blude drapes 

Ran owt so plentuosly, his wille it was to spend, 

Alle his precios blude maunes sor tille amend, 
Witbowt coinplcnt he suffert the nayles and the spere, 
But gretist payn that he had was for his moder dere. 
He sufferd patiently, 



RELIQUIJS ANTIQUJE. 165 

MORAL SONGS. 

MS. Sloane, No. 2593, fo. 54, r n . written about the reign of Henry VI. 

be wyth trewthe qwer he be, I wolde he were in this cuntrS. 

A man that xuld of trewthe telle, 
Wyth grete lordys he may not dwelle, 
In trewe story as klerkes telle, 

Trewthe is put in low degre. 

In laydyis chaumberes comethe he not, 
Ther dar trewthe settyn non fot ; 
Thow he wolde, he may not 

Comyn among the heye inene. 

With men of lawe he hajt non spas ; 
They lovyn trewthe in non plas ; 
Me thinkit they han a rewly grace 

That trewthe is put at swyche degree. 

In holy cherche he may not sythe, 
Fro man to man they xuln hym flythe, 
It rewit me sore in myn wytte, 

Of trewthe I have gret pete. 

Relygius that xulde be good, 

If trewthe cum ther, I holde hym wood ; 

They xuldyn hym rynde cote and hood, 

And make hym bare for to flye. 

A man that xulde of trewthe aspye, 
He must sekyn esylye 
In the bosum of Marye, 

For there he is for sothe. 

fol. 54, r°. 

i, be war, be war, be war, and kep the that thou have no car. 

Thi tunge is mad of fleych and blod, 
Evele to spekyn it is not good, 
But Cryst that deyid upon the rood 

So jyf us grace our tunges to spare. 

Thi lyppis arn withoute bon; 
Spek non evyl of thi fon ; 
Man, I rede, be Seynt Jon, 

Of evyl speche that thou be war. 

Quan thou seyst thi evyl seying, 

Be it of eld, be it of jyng, 

Among many men thi speche may spring, 

And make thin herte of blysse ful bare. 



156 RELIQUI.fi ANTIQUE. 

To hire hir mourn so moderlye, 
To se hir wep so tenderlye, 

Alle rayn hert it fayles : 
Now she spekes of the scornes, 
Now she remembers the thornes, 

Andthegrete sturdy nayles! 
Now she spekes of his pacience, 
Now she myndes his obedience, 

That unto deth was ; 
Now of his visage spekes shee, 
Defilid with deformyte, 

Offowlle spitfinge, alassc! 
Now of his woundes dos she speke, 
And of the spere which did breke 

Hir sonnes blessid sid ; 
Thus is she alle com furthl esse, 
Replet with alle dulfulnesse, 

Therfor I may not bide : 
As for this tyme I wille departe. 
Brother Peter, be of gud harte, 

ffor other cause have ye none ! 
Now farwelle for a starte, 

I shalle jow mete anone. 
Peter. Praye fore me, brother, for Godes sake. 
Johannes Evatcngelisla. Erothere, toyow no discomfui 

But truste ever faithfullye, 
We shalle have comforth joure sorowe to slake, 

And that I trust shortlye. 

Tunc exit Johannes et dicit Petms, 
Brothere Andrewe, God reward $oue ever speciallye, 

ffor John and ye, with youre swete wordes of cor 
solatioun, 
Hase easid my mynd with comfoTte stedfastlye ; 

I am in trewe faith and hope without desperatioun, 
In my saule now havynge spiritualle jubilatiouD, 
Trustinge on the mercy of my master and ford. 
Of whose infinite gudncse I shall ever record: 
Let the dew of mercy falle opon us ! 
Ostende faciem tuam et salvi erimus \ 
Schewe thy powere, gud Lord, and to us appere. 
Let beames of thi grace approchc to us nere, 
Super nos writchit synners! 

Intrat Maria Magdalena. 
I, writchit creature, what shalle I doo? 



RELIQUIJt ANTIQUE. 167 

In semenaunt be thinges thre, 
Thowt, speche, and prevyte, 
And trewthe xuld the forte be, 

It is hens a .m 1 . myle. 

Trewthe is fer and semit hynde, 
Good and wykkyt it hajt in mynde, 
It faryt as a candele ende, 

That brennit fro half a myle. 

Many man fay re to me he spekyt, 
And he wyste hym wel be-wreke, 
He hadde we levere myn hed to-breke, 

Than help me over a style. 

God that deyid upon the cros, 
Ferst he deyid and sythin he ros, 
Have mercy and pet6 on us, 

We levyn here but a qwyle. 

fol. 77, r°; 

Kep thi tunge, thi tunge, thi tunge, thi wykyd tunge werkit 
me woo. 

Ther is non gres that growit on ground, 
Satenas ne peny round, 
Wersse then is a wykkyd tunge, 

That spekit bethe evyl of frynd and fo. 

Wykkyd tunge makit ofte stryf 
Betwyxe a good man and his wyf, 
Quan he xulde lede a merie lyf, 

Here qwyte sydys waxin ful bio. 

Wykkyd tunge makit ofte stauns, 
Bothe in Engelond and in Frauns ; 
Many a man wyt spere and launs, 

Throw wykkyd tunge to ded is do. 

Wykkyd tunge brekit bon, 

Thow the self have non, 

Of his frynd he makit his fon, 

In every place qwer that he go. 

Good men, that stondyn and syttyn in this halle, 
I prey jou bothe on and alle, 
That wykkyd tunges fro jou falle, 

That *e mowun to heme go. 

Wrt. 



]5fi REHQUIJi ANTIQUE. 

To hire liir mourn so moderlye, 
To se hir wep so tenderlye, 

Alle myn hert it fayles : 
Now she spekes of the scornes, 
Now she remembers the thornes, 

And the grete sturdy nayles ! 
Now she spekes of his pacience, 
Now she myndes his obedience, 

That unto deth was; 
Now of his visage spekes shee, 
Defilid with deformyte, 

Of fowlle spiltinge, alasse! 
Now of his woundes dos she speke, 
And of the spere which did breke 

Hir sonnes blessid sid ; 
Thus is she alle com furthl esse, 
Replet with alio dulfulnesse, 

Therfor I may not bide : 
As for this tyme I wille departe, 
Brother Peter, be of gad harte, 

ffor other cause have ye none ! 
Now farwelle for a starte, 

I shalle jow mete anone. 
Peter. Praye fore me, brother, for Godes sake. 
Johannes Ecaungelisla. Brothere, toyow no discomfurth take, 

But truste ever faith fully e, 
"We shaile have comforth joure sorowe to slake, 

And that I trust shortlye. 

Tunc exit Johannes et dicit Petrus, 

Brothere Andrewe, God reward ^oue ever apeciallye, 

ffor John and ye, with youre swete wordes of con- 
so latioun, 

Hase easid my mynd with comforte stedfastlye ; 

I am in trewe faith and hope without desperatioun, 
In my saule now havynge spiritualle jubilatioun, 

Trustinge on the mercy of my master and lord. 

Of whose infinite gudncse I shall ever record: 

Let the dew of mercy falle opon us ! 

Ostende faciem tuam et salvi erimus ! 

Schewe thy powere, gud Lord, and to us appere, 

Let beames of thi grace approche to us nere, 

Super nos wril.chit synners! 

Inlrat Maria Magdalena. 
O I, writchit creature, what shalle I doo? 



RELIQULS. ANTIQUE* 161 

Of hym that most may doo. 
O myche ar we bound gud Lord to your highnes ! 

.ffor us wer ye born and also circumcised^ 
ffor us were ye tempid in the wildernese ; 

Now crucyfied to deth most shamfully dispised, 
Yit alle this gude Lorde had us not sufficyed, 
But ye had resene fro deth by your godhed gloriuse, 
Your resurrectioun was most necessarye for us, 
Youre meknese suffert deth for our salvatioun, 
And now are ye resen for oure justificatioun ; 

Youre name ever blessit bee ! 
JLndrewe. This resurrectioun to alle the warld is consolatioun, 
ffor of oure fayth it is trew consolatioun, 

Approved by his divinitee. 
Johannes Evaungelista. Brether, joy and comfurth, and inward 
jubilatioun, 

And gostly gladnese in us alle encrease may ; 
We have passid the tyme of dole and desolatioun, 

And also I am sure, and right wille dare I saye 

The joyfulle tresure of our hart we salle se this daye; 
Honour, joy, and glory, be to hym without end, 
"WTiich after sich sorow comfurte can send ! 
To laude and prayse hym lat us be abowt, 
To love hym and lofe hym and lawly hym lowt, 

With mynd and mowth devowtlye; 
Ther, brothere, with joyfulle harte, 
-And devowt sisters, in your parte, 

Entone sum ermonye. 

Tunc cantent omnes, scilicet, " Scimus Christum" Vel 
cadiam sequentiam ant ympnum de Resurrectione. Post cantum 
Johannes Jinemfaciens, 

>, downe fro hevyne evermor grace dos springe, 

The gudnese of God is incomperabille yee see ; 
Ker was sorow and mournynge, lamentacion and wepinge, 

Now is joy and gladnese, and of comfurth plentee ; 
Joyfully depart wee now owt of this place, 
3f ekly abidinge the inspiratioun of grace, 

Whiche we belefe 
SBchalle com to us this nyght. 
Now farwelle every wighte, 
*We commend yow alle to his myght 

Which for us suffert grefe ! 

Explicit. 

mm. 

roi» n. x 



\ 



v 



158 



RELtQUI.fi ANTIQUE. 



Gardener, I yowe prave, 
Schew unto inee, if ye can, 
Yf that ye did see here ony man 

Tak his body awaye. 

Jhesus dicit " 3/aria !" Mawdleyne answers " . 
Jhesus. Noli me tangere ! 
Mary, towche me not now. 
But into Galilee go thowe. 

And to my brether saye, 
And to Peter which sorowfulle is. 
That I am rescue from dethe to Hf ay in blisse, 

Renynge perpetuallye ! 
Exhort tham to be of gud chere 
And hastely wylle I to tham apere, 

To comfurth joefultye. [Exit Jhesus. 
Mawdleyn. O royn harte, wher hast thou bee ? 
Com home agayn and leve with mee, 

My gTet sorow is past ! 
Now may thou en tone a mery songe, 
ffor he whom thou desirid so ionge 

1 have foun now at laste ! 
I thanke your grace with hert intere, 
That of youre gudnese to me wald apere, 

And make my hert thus light. 

Secund Marye intrat cum tertia. 

Soror, nuncia nobis : 

Gud Mawdleyne, sister, how standes with yow T 

Mawdleyn. Dere sisters, never so welle os nowe, 

ffor I have hade a sight 
Of my lorde and master to my comfurth specialle, 
To his godhed I render tliank.es iminortalle, 

Os I am bound of dewtee ! 
Thrid Marye. It apperis, suster, by your countenaunce, 
That the gret sorow is owt of remembraunce ; 
And so by your sawe gret cause have yee. 
Mawdleyn. I have gret cause, sisters, I knaw it welle, 
ffor of my ioye be is the springe and welle, 

And of my lyfe sustenaunce. 
Secuiide Marye. Have ye seyn our Lord, sister, are ye si 
Mawdlene. Sister, I have seyne my gretist tresure, 

My hartly joye and plesaunce. 
Tkride. Mary. A ! sister, gret conifer t may your hart u 
Mawdlene. Je, gude sister, he callit me Mary by my c 

And spak with me homlye, 



REL1QUIJS ANTIQUE. 159 

I saw hym bodely, in flesh and bloode, 

Oure Redemere, which for us hang on the roode, 

He shewed hyme gratioslye. 
And bade me go to his disciples sone, 
Thanne to certifye of his resurrectioune, 

And so wille I shortely doo. 
Secunde Marie. A ! A ! Mawdleyne, right happee ye were, 
Ye spente not in vayn so many bitter tere, 

Gret grace is lent yow too. 

Tunc venit Jhesus et salutat mulieres istas tres. Tamen 
mulieres nil dicunt ei, sed procidunt ad pedes ejus* 

Avete ! hayle, blessit women leve, 

My blessinge here I youe geve, 

Let sorow no more youre harte meve, 

But have comfort allwaye. 
I am resene fro deth, so may he telle, 
I have deliverit my presoners frome helle, 

And made tham sure for aye ! 
Mawdleyne. Now, gud sisters, be no more sadd, 
Ye have cause os welle os I to be gladd ! 

Oure Lorde, loo, of his gudnese, 
Of his heghe and godly excellence, 
Haves shewede us here his joyefulle presence, 

With wordes of swetnese ! 
My wordes wer not fantasticalle, sister, yee see ! 
I told youe no lesinge, sisters, report mee 

Ye have seyn with your eye. 
Tkrid Mary. Oure spirites bene revivid, our hartes beyn light ! 
O Mawdleyne, this was a gloriose sight 

Eschewed to us gracioslye ! 
Secund Marye. Blessid be that Lorde ! blessit be that kinge, 
That haves comfurth us thus with his uprisinge 

So sone and glorioslye ! 
Mawdlen. Susters, in joye of this joyfullenese, 
A songe of comforte lete us expresse, 

With notes of armonye. 

Tunc hce tres cantant id est Victime Paschalis totum usque 
ad in cantifracto vel saltern in pallinodio. 

Tutu: occurrent eis apostoli, scilicet, Petrus, Andreas, et 
Johannes, cantantes hoc, " Die nobis Maria quod vidisti in 
trim." Respondent mulieres cantantes, " Sepulcrum Christi 
rinclum " etc. usque ad il credendem" Apostoli respondentes 
rantant " Oredendum est magis soli Marice veraci, quod vides 



100 RELIQCI* ANTIQU.E. 

lurle fnUaci." Muheres iterum cantant " Scimus 
surrexisse tere." Aposlali el muheres cantant quasi t 
denies, " Tu nobis, Chrixle rex, mzscre. Amen /" Po 
turn dicit Pelrus (sitjficd si cantenlur eisquc nods el cat 
ut kabetur in sequential predicta), 

Pelrus dicit post cantum, 
How is it now, Marye, can ye telle 
Any newes which may lik us welle ! 

Blithe is youre countenaunce ! 
Mawdleyn. Peter, in youre mynde be fast and stabille, 
I can shew youe tydinges most comfortabille 

Trust it of assurance 
Petere. Gude Mary, of hym I wold knawlege have. 
Mawdleyne. Peter, oure master is resyn from his grave 

He apperit unto us three 
In fieshe and bone in a gloriose wise ; 
He hase restorid Adam and his into paradise, 

Which were in helle captivitee. 
Peter. God graunte youre wordes war not in vayne ! 
Mawdle/ie. Peter, that I saye is trew and certayne. 

And therfor dowt no more. 
Secun Marye. Brother we saughe our Lord face to face ; 
He apperit to us in tins same place, 

And bad as mowrne not so sore. 
Tkride Mare. He bade us testify and telle 
That he was resyne in flesh and felle, 

And dy he shalle no more. 
Pelrus. A ! Mary, grot grace to youe is lent, 
To whom our Lord was so content 

Bcfor other lille apere. 
Mawdlen. He said ye alle shuld see hym in Galilee; 
And, Peter, youreselfe expreslye namyd hee, 

Therfore be of gud cnere. 
Andrewe. Yit to his sepulcre lat us go and see, 
To satisfye our myndes from alle purplexitee. 

Peter. So cownaelle I we doo. 

Tunc ibil precurrens Johannes dicit, 

Brothere Peter, com hither and behold ! 
It is no fabille that Marye us hase told. 

This thinge iscerten, loo! 
How say ye 1 brother, be ye satisfied 1 
Petrus. Brothere John, I am fully certifyed 

To gife credens her too. 
Now shalle the suth be verefied 1 



RELIQUL& ANTIQUE* 161 

Of hym that most may doo. 
O myche ar we bound gud Lord to your highnes ! 

.ffor us wer ye born and also circumcised, 
ffor us were ye tempid in the wildernese ; 

Now crucyfied to deth most shamfully dispised, 
Yit alle this gude Lorde had us not sufficyed, 
But ye had resene fro deth by your godhed gloriuse, 
Your resurrectioun was most necessarye for us, 
Youre meknese suffert deth for our salvatioun, 
And now are ye resen for oure justificatioun ; 

Youre name ever blessit bee ! 
Jlndrewe. This resurrectioun to alle the warld is consolatioun, 
ffor of oure fay th it is trew consolatioun, 

Approved by his divinitee. 
Johannes Evaungelista. Brether, joy and comfurth, and inward 
jubilatioun, 

And gostly gladnese in us alle encrease may ; 
We have passidthe tyme of dole and desolatioun, 

And also I am sure, and right wille dare I saye 

The joyfulle tresure of our hart we salle se this daye; 
Honour, joy, and glory, be to hym without end, 
"WTrich after sich sorow comfurte can send ! 
To laude and prayse hym lat us be abowt, 
To love hym and lofe hym and lawly hym lowt, 

With mynd and mowth devowtlye; 
Ther, brothere, with joyfulle harte, 
-And devowt sisters, in your parte, 

Entone sum ermonye. 

Tunc cantent omnes, scilicet, " Seimus Christum" Vel 
mUam sequentiam ant ympnum de Resurrections Post cantum 
*Mcit Johannes Jinemfaciens, 

Xoo, downe fro hevyne evermor grace dos springe, 

The gudnese of God is incomperabille yee see ; 
Her was sorow and mournynge, lamentacion and wepinge, 

Now is joy and gladnese, and of comfurth plentee ; 
Joyfully depart wee now owt of this place, 
3tf ekly abidinge the inspiratioun of grace, 

Whiche we belefe 
Schalle com to us this nyght. 
Now farwelle every wighte, 
We commend yow alle to his myght 

Which for us suffert grefe ! 

Explicit. 

r mm. 

VOls. II. X 



VERSES ON POPE JOAN. 

From tlie Cotton MS. Nero. D. xi. fol 05, (Wyntown's CI 
fifteenth century. 

Off a pape thai was than, 
Johan be nayme, and was woman. 
Qwhen this pape Leo was dede, 
A woman occupyde that stede, 
Tu a jhere ful as pape and mare ; 
Scho was to wanton of hire fayr. 
Scho was Inglis of nacioun, 
Richt willy of condicioun ; 
A burges douclityr and his ayre ; 
Prewe, plcyssande, and richt fayr. 
Thai callit hir fadyr Hob of Lyme ; 
Fra fader and moder and al hir kyn 
Withe hir luf scho past of lande, 
A woman ^onge tyl eylde growande. 
And at Athenys in to study 
Scho bade, and lerit ithandly, 
And nane petsawit hir womanne, 
Bot al tyme kythit hir as a manue, 
Andcallit hir self Johan Magwictyne, 
3ha wit jhe wul a schrewe fyne. 
Same agane fra Grece to Rome, 
As a solempne clerk scho coymme. 
And !iad of clergy sic renowne, 
That be concorde eleccioun 
Pape sche was chossyn there ; 
Jit fel it that hyre cubicnlare 
By hyr lay, and gat a barne, 
That al hir clergy canyihe not warne. 
In til procession on a day 
As scho past in til the waye, 
Hir childe il al suddandly 
Trawalit hir sa angrely, 
That suddandly thar was scho dede. 
And eudit in that ilka stede, 
Witheouetyn prayer, orisoun, 
Or ony kyn dewocioun ; 
And but al other hnwetl, 
Solempne or in prewete. 
Benedic pape next that wiif 
Was twa jhere pape in til bis liff. 



RELIQUI.B ANTIQUE. 163 



NOTES OF POSSESSION. 

t was a common custom in early times for owners of books to write in 
m metrical notes of their right to possess and keep them. The following 
a few of such scraps. I may mention that the earliest printed book- 
te that I know of, is inserted in the MS. Claud. D. vii., being that of 
Henry Savile, the celebrated Antiquary and Historian. 

From MS. Ashm. 69, of the fifteenth century. 

Yee that desyre in herte and have plesaunce 

Olde stories in bokis for to rede, 

Gode matiers putt hem in remembraunce, 

And of the other take yee none hede ; 

Byseching yowe of your godely hede, 

Whane yee this boke have over-redde and seyne, 

To Johan Shirley restore yee it ageine. 

m MS. Harl. 1251, written by the Countess of Worcester, about the year 

1440. 

And I yt los, and yow yt fynd, 
I pray yow hartely to be so kynd, 
That yow wel take a letel payne, 
To se my boke brothe home agayne. 

Thys boke is one, 

And God's kors ys anoder ; 
They that take the ton, 

God gefe them the toder. 

From MS. Bib. Reg. 18, A. xvy., of the fifteenth century. 

He that stelys this booke 
Shul be hanged on a hooke. 
He that this booke stelle wolde, 
Sone be his herte colde. 
That it mow so be, 
Seith Amen for cherite. 

Qui scripsit carmen, 
Pookefait est sibi nomen. 
Miller jungatur, 
Qui scripsit sic nominatur. 

From MS. Harl. 45, of the fifteenth century. 

If ony persone stele this boke, 
He shal be hongyd by a hoke, 
Or by the necke with a rope. 



RELIQUI.E ANTIQUES. 

Therfore I tc-llp the, be seynt Austyn, 
Ther xal non man of evele speche may wyn 
But sorwe and schame and meche syn, 

And tii his herte meche care. 
Prey we to God and seynt Margerete ! 
That we mowun our tunges kepe, 
Qwether we wake or slepe, 

And our body fro evele fare. 

fol. 66, i*. 
be war er thou be wo, think on pride and let r. 
Pryde is out and pride is ine, 
And pride is rot of every synne, 
And pride will never blynne, 

Til he hajt browt a man in woo. 
Lucyfer was aungvl bryjt, 
And conquerour of meche inyjt, 
Throw his pride he les his lyjt. 

And fit doun into en deles woe 
Wenyst thou for thi gaye clothing, 
And for thin grete othis sweryng. 
To be a lord or a kyngl 

Lytil it xal avayle the too. 
Quan thou xalt to cherche glyde, 
Wermys xuln ete throw thi syde. 
And lytil xal avayle thi pride. 

Or ony synnys that thou hast doo. 
Prey to Cryst with blody syde, 
And other e woundea grile and wyde. 
That he for-jeve the thi pryde. 

And thi synnys that thou hast doo. 



I may seyn, and so mown mo, that in semenaunt goth f 

Semenaunt is a wonder thing. 
It begylyt bothc knyjt and kyng, 
Andmakit maydenys of love longyng; 

I warne jou of that gyle. 
Semenaunt is a sly peyntour. 
It florchyt and fadit in many a flour, 
And makit wommen to lesyn here bryte 

Upon a lytil qwyle. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 167 

In semenaunt be thinges thre, 
Thowt, speche, and prevyte, 
And trewthe xuld the forte be, 

It is hens a .m 1 . myle. 

Trewthe is fer and semit hynde, 
Good and wykkyt it hajt in mynde, 
It faryt as a candele ende, 

That brennit fro half a myle. 

Many man fay re to me he spekyt, 
And he wyste hym wel be-wreke, 
He hadde we levere myn hed to-breke, 

Than help me over a style. 

God that deyid upon the cros, 
Ferst he deyid and sythin he ros, 
Have mercy and pete on us, 

We levyn here but a qwyle. 

fol. 77, r°; 

ECep thi tunge, thi tunge, thi tunge, thi wykyd tunge werkit 
me woo. 

Ther is non gres that growit on ground, 
Satenas ne peny round, 
Wersse then is a wykkyd tunge, 

That spekit bethe evyl of frynd and fo. 

Wykkyd tunge makit ofte stryf 
Betwyxe a good man and his wyf, 
Quan he xulde lede a merie lyf, 

Here qwyte sydys waxin ful bio. 

Wykkyd tunge makit ofte stauns, 
Bothe in Engelond and in Frauns ; 
Many a man wyt spere and launs, 

Throw wykkyd tunge to ded is do. 

Wykkyd tunge brekit bon, 

Thow the self have non, 

Of his frynd he makit his fon, 

In every place qwer that he go. 

Good men, that stondyn and syttyn in this halle, 
I prey jou bothe on and alle, 
That wykkyd tunges fro jou falle, 

That xe mowun to heme go. 

Wrt. 



176 RELIQUIJE ANTIQUjE. 

Hail be je, sutters, with jour mani lestes, 
With jour blote hides of selcuth bestis, 
And trobles and treisuses, bothevampe and alles ; 
Blak and lothlich beth jur teth, hori was that route. 

Nis this bastun wel i-piate, 

Euch word him sitte a-njte. 

Hail be je, skinners, with jure drenche kive, 
Who so smillith ther to, wo is him alive ; 
Whan that hit thonnerith, *e mote ther in schite ; 
Datheit jur curteisie, je stinketh al the strete. 

Worth hit wer that he wer king, 

That ditid this trie thing. 

Hail be ae, potters, with jur bole-ax, 
Fair betn jur barmhatres, jolow beth jur fax ; 
3e stondith at the sthamil, brod ferlich bernes ; 
Fleiis aow folowithe, je swolowith y-now. 

Tne best dark of al this tun, 

Craftfullich makid this bastun. 

Hail be je, bakers, with jur lovis smale, 
Of white bred and of Make, ful mani and fale ; . 
$e pincheth on the rijt white ajen Goddes law, 
To the fair pillori ich rede je tak hede. 

This vers is i-wrowjte so welle, 

That no tung i-wis mai telle. 

Hail be je, bre westers, with jur galuns, 

Potels and quarters, over al the tounes ; 

3ur thowmes berith moch awai, schame hab the gyle ; 

Beth i-war of the coking-stole, the lak is dep and hori. 

Sickerlich he was a clerk, 

That so sleilich wrojte this werk. 

Hail be je, hokesters, dun bi the lake, 
With candles and golokes and the pottes blak, 
Tripis and kine fete and schepen hevedes ; 
With the hori tromcheri hori is jure inne. 

He is sori of his lif, 

That is fast to such a wif. 

Fi a debles kaites that kemith the wolle, 
Al the schindes of the croun(]) a heij opon jur sculle, 
3e makid me sech a goshorne over al the wowes, 
Ther- for ich makid on of jou sit opon a hechil. 

He was noble clerk and gode, 

That this dep lore understode. 



RELIQULfi ANTIQUES. 177 

Makith glad, mi frendis, je sittith to long stille ; 
Spekith now, and gladieth, and drinketh al jur fille ; 
3e habbeth i-hird of men lif that wonith in lond; 
Drinkith dep, and makith glade, ne hab $e non other nede. 

This song is y-seid of me, 

Ever i-blessid mote $e be ! 

Wrt 



A LULLABY. 

From the same manuscript as the preceding, fol. 32, V. 

Lollai, .1., litil child, whi wepistou so sore 1 
Nedis mostou wepe, hit was i-jarkid the 3ore, 
Ever to lib in sorow, and sich and mourne evere, 
As thin eldren did er this, whil hi a-lives were. 

Lollai, litil child, child, lolai, lullow, 

In to uncuth world i-commen so ertow. 

Bestis and thos foules, the fisses in the flode, 
And euch schef a-lives, makid of bone and blode, 
Whan hi commith to the world, hi doth ham silf sum gode, 
Al bot the wrech brol that is of Adamis blode. 
Lollai, .1., litil child, to kar ertou be-mette, 
Thou nost nojt this worldis wild bi-for the is i-sette. 

Child, if be-tidith that thou ssalt thrive and the, 

Thench thou wer i-fostred up thi moder kne ; 

Ever hab mund in thi hert of thos thinges thre, 

Whan thou commist, whan thou art, and what ssal com of the. 

Lollai, .1., litil child, child, lollai, lollai, 

With sorow thou com into this world, with sorow ssalt 
wend awai. 

Ne tristou to this world, hit is thi ful ro ; 
The rich he makith pover, the pore rich also ; 
Hit turneth wo to wel, and ek wel to wo ; 
Ne trist no man to this world, whil hit turnith so. 

Lollai, .1., litil child, the fote is in the whele, 

Thou nost whoder turne to wo other wele. 

Child, thou ert a pilgrim in wikidnis i-bor, 
Thou wandrest in this fals world, thou lok the bifor ; 
Deth ssal com with a blast ute of a wel dim horre, 
Adamis kin dun to cast, him silf hath i-do be-for. 
Lollai, .1., litil child, so wo the worth Adam, 
In the lond of Paradis, thro3 wikidnes of Satan. 

VOL. II. Z 



170 RELIQUKIS ANTIQUE. 

Heahmund, .^USelheah, Wulfsige, Asser,-/E5elweard, 
tan, ^ESelbald, Sigelui, Alfred, Wuli'sige, Alfwold, 

Nomina episcoporum Uuitlunensis. ^ESelstan, ( 
jElrici, OsolF, jElfsIan, Wulfgar, Sigericus dei amicus. 

Nomina Uuillensi.s tp.cclesim. ASolm, Wu]fhelrn , . 
.ii., Wulfhelm, Brihthelm, Kynewerd, Sigegar. 

Nomina episcoporum Cridiensis /ecclesice. Eadull. 
gaT, JElfwold, Sideman, jElfric, Alfwold. 

Nomina episcoporum Uuicciorum ■vcclesiee. Sexwv I 
Estfor, Ecwine, WilfriS, Hildred, Wfermund, Gilliere, Hea- 
■Sered. 

Nomina episcoporum procinde Merciorum. Primus 
vinoia Merciorum et Li n (lis faro rum ac Mediterraneorum An- 
glorum episcopus, Diuma, Cellaham, Trumhere dc naiione 
Anglorum, Bearomon, Tcdda, GirifrrS, Seaxwulf. Postea vera 
in.v. parrochias dividituc post Sexwulfum provincia M 
duos episcopus lianuit Headdan et Uuli'ridum, postea WiJfiifi 
electus et Headda prafatus regebant amba? parrocln.:- 
Ealdwine qui et Uuor nominnbatur. Itorum divisa esl 
parrochias. TorhllHm, Eadberht, Eupona, Terenb\ rl 
hum, Ealdrcd, Ceoldred, Hwila, Cemele, CuBfriS, Berlhun, 
Sigeberht, Aldulwulf, Herewine, A'Selwald, Humberht, Kjik*- 
fyriS. 

Nomina e7?iScopo; , i(77i. <aicJ Putta,Torhclm,Torht!ierc, E 
CuSberlit, Dodda, Acca, Ceadda, Aldberht, Esne, Ceolmurnl, 
Utel.Uuli'hcard, Peonna, Eadwulf. 

Nomina episcoporum Lindisfaromm. Eadheab, M 
Eadgar, Cynebyrht, Alowig,' Ealdwulf, Ceolwulf, ] 
Byrhstred, Leoiwine, vElfno'3, .lEscwig. 

Nomina episcoporum Oritm'alium Saxonum. Felix , 1 
Beorblgits, Bisi. Postea in .ii* 3 . parrochias dividitur. 
wine, RoKberht, HaSelac, ^ESclfriS, EanfrrS, A] 
Alhheard, Sibba, HunferS, Hunberht. -^Ecce, iEscwulf, Ead- 
red, GuSwine, Alberbt, Ecglaf, Heardred, ^Elfhun, V. 
Wrermund, Wilred, ASulf, j-Elfric, 'Keodred. 

Nomina episcoporum r/e n/is Nar^an-Hymbrarum. Primus 
Paulinus, a J us to arcluepi scopo ordinatus. ASan, T.n 
mann, Luda. Postea in duas parrochias dividitur. Ceadiia 
Eboracensi scclesife ordinatum "WilfrrS Hagstaldensie ordina- 
tus depositoque Wiliri-So a rege EcfriSo Eata pro eo i 
episcopus Hagstaldensie, pro Ceaddan Bo^a Eboracei 
functo latarj Johannes pro eo, post longum veroexilium WilfrrS 
iterum in episcopatu receptus est et idem Johannfe < iir > defiwclo 
Eboraci substitutus. 



RELIQUliE ANTIQXJJB. 171 

, Nomina episcoporum Eboracensi < 8ic > aecclesiae. Wilfrid, 
Ecberht, Coena, Eanbald, Wulfsige, Wimund. 

: Nomina episcoporum Haustaldensis cecclesice. Acca, FriSe- 
berht, Alhmund, Gilberht, -^Eftelberht, Heardred, Eanberht. 

Nomina episcoporum Lindisfarorum. Aidan, Finan, Col- 
man, Eata, Cuflberht, Eanberht, Eadfrift, Kynewulf, Sigebald, 
Ecberht. 

Nomina episcoporum aecclesiae quce dicitur Casa Candiona. 
Pknthelm, Froftowald, Hehtwine, -^Eflelberht, Eadwulf. 

cccc. xc. iiii. Cerdic .xiii., Cyneric .xxiii., Ceaulic .xvii., 
Ceol .v., Ceolwulf .xiiii., Cynegils, primus christianus, .xxxxi., 
Cenwalh .xxxi., Sexburh .i. annum, ^Escwine .ii., Centwine 
•ix., Ceadwalla .iii., Ine .xxxvii., ^Ebelheard .xiiii., Cuftred 
.xvi., Sigebryht .i., Cynewulf .xxxii., byrhtric .xvi., Ecgbyrht 
.xxxvii.^ .vii. monS., ^EJ?elwulf.xix. healf gear, A];elbald .v., 
-2E}>elbyrht .v., ^E^Sered .v., -^Elfred xxix. y .vii. monS, Ead- 
weard .xxv., ./E]?elstan .xiiii. *] .vii. wucan, Eadmund .vii. 
healf gear, Eadred .x. heal f gear, Eadwig .iiii. butan .vii. ucan, 
Eadgar .xvi., Eadweard .iii., ^E)?elred. 

Haec suntgenealogie per partes Brittannie regum regnan- 
tium per diversa loca Norfthymbrorum. 

Eadwine ^Ellinc, ^Elle Yffinc, Yffe Uuscfreaing, Uuscfrea 
Uuilgilsing, Uuilgilsing Uueosterwalding, Uuestorualcna Se- 
omling, Seomel Ssefulfing, Saefugul Ssebalding, Ssebald Sig- 
geotbg, Siggeot Suaebdseging, Swaebdseg Siggaring, Siggar 
Uuaegdseging, Uusegdseg.Uuoddenning, Uuoden Frealafing. 

EcgfrrS Osweoing, Oswio ./Ej?elfrrSing, ./EiSelfrrS ./Evi- 
ncing, ^Ej?elric Iding, Oda Eopping, Eoppa Eosing, Eosa 
.^E)>eiberhting, JE]?elberht Angelgeoting, Angelgeot Alusing, 
Alusa Ingebranding, Ingebrand Wsegbrandmg, Wsegbrand 
Beornicing, Beornic Bseldseging, Baeldaeg Wodning, Woden 
Frealafing. 

Ceolwulf Cuftwinoing, Cuftwine Leodwalding, Leodwald 
■ Ecgwalding, Ecgwald Eadelming, Eadelm Ocgting, Ocg 
Iding. Eadberht Eating, Eata Leodwalding. 

Item Norman Hymbrorum. Alhred Eahwining, Eanwine 
Byrnhoming, Byrnhom Bofing, Bofa Blaechomning, Blsecmon 
Eadricing, Eadric Iding. 

Ida regnavit decern annos, Clapba .i., Odda .viii., ^E)?elric 
.vii., iteodred .vii., Osred .xi., Teonred .ii., Osric .xi., Seol- 
wulf .xi., Eadberht .xxi., Oswulf .i., A]?elwald .vi., Alhred 
•viii., JET&ehei .iii., Alfwold .x., Osred .i., Item, ^E]?elred .vii. 



172 



REUQri.E ANTIQUE 



Penda regnavil annas .xxL Peada .i., Wulfheri: . 
jE)»elred .xxviiii., Cenred .v., Ceolred .vii., Abelbald .] 

Item. Offa .xxxix., FreoSwald .vii., Fuesa .vi 
.xxviii., Eadwine .xvii., et sextus Christianas, Oswal 

Osweo .xxviii., EcgiriS .xv., AldfrrB .xx., EcgfriS .cl 
Cenwulf, Ceolwulf, Beornwulf. 

flem Merciorum. Abelbald Alewing, Alewig Eoping, £ 
Pybbing. ^E]>e]rcd Pending, Pcnda Pybbing, Pybba C 
oding, Creoda Cyncwalding, Cynewald Onebbing, Cue' 
Icling, Ice! Eomering, Eomer Angelgeoting, Angelgoot Of* 
Offa Wfermundiug, Wa?rmund Will [lagging, W ihtlaeg "V 
■Bogeoting, WeoSogeot W oding, Woden Frealafing. Ec 
Offing, Offa JjingferKmg, bingferB Eanwulfing, Ear 
Osmoding, Osmod E owing, Eowa Wybbing. Cen»i 
Cufcbrihting, CuSbriht Baffing, Baffa Ceonrowiog, Cyi 
Centivining, Ccntwine CuSwaling, CirBwalh Cenwaling, ( 
walh Pybbing. 

Item, Aidfri'5 Eating, Eata EanferSing, EanferS Bisi 
ing, Bisceop Beding, Beda Bubbing, Bubba Cffidbnei 
Ceedbced Cwa'dgilsing, Cwsedgils Cretting, Cretta Wini 
Winta Wodning, Woden Frealafing, Frealaf FreoSowuI 
Freo'Sowulf Finning, Finn Godwulling, Godwulf Eating. 

jEBelberht Wihtreding, Wihtred Ecgberhting, Ecgbf 
jErconberhting, jErconbyrht Eadbalding, Eadbald _ 
berhting, jESclberlit Eormricing, Kormric Oesing, Oese (. 
ging, Ocga Hengesting, Hengest Wi tanging, Witta WUjtgi 
ing, Wihtgils Wfegdreging, Wajgdieg Woding, Wod 
Frealafing. 

Item. AlfwaJd Aldwulfing, jEldwulf MUeltidag, i 
Ening, Eni Tytling, Tytla Wuffing, Wuffa Welilung, " 
Williclming, Willieltn Hrypping, Hryp HroSm tin ding, L, 
mund Trigliiig, Trvgil Tytnianing, Tytman Casericg, ( 
Wodning, Woden Frealafincg. 

Yne Cenreding, Cenred Ceolwalding, Ceolwald CirSulfi 
CirBwulf CuSwintng, Cu'Bwine Celing, Celin Cym ' 
Cynric Creoding, Creoda Cerdicing, Cerdic Alncing, 
Gi wising, Giwis Branding, Brand Bseldaiging, B^ldceg^ 
ning, Woden Frealafing. 

Haec sunt genealogiae regum Occidenlalium Saxonum. 

Eadweard ~) Eadmund -j ./E-Belred teSelingas 

Eadgares suna cyninges. Eadgar Eadmunding, Ea< 

Eadwerding, Eadweard jElfreding, Alfred AJwlfing, 

Ecgbyrhting, Ecgbriht Ealhmunding, Ealhmund Eauing, I 



REL1QUI.E ANTIQU.fi. 181 

justinus de duabus animabus, de disciplina Chrisli- 
anorum, de decern cordis, regula ejusdem de vita 
clericoium, de nuptiis et concupiseentia, et Augustinus 
contra Julianum, et contra duas epistolas Pelagianoruin, 
et de sancta virginitate, in uno volumine. 
Augustinus ad Simplicianum contra Pelagium, in uno 
volumine, et alia. 

O. Augustinus contra Faustum, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de trinitate, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de con less iambus, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de verbis Domini, in uno volumine, 

Augustinus super Genesim ad Httcram, et versus Da- 
masippe, in uno volumine. 

Epistole Augustini, et Augustinus contra interrogationes 
Pelagii heretici, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de penitentia, et unde malum, et de libero 
arbitrio, et contra quinque hereses, et de bono conjugali, 
et pars quedam de perfcctione justicie, et Hugo de arena 
Noe, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de baptismo parvulorum, ct ad Marcellinum, et 
de unico baptismo, de spiritu et littcra, et ad Paulinum, 
et Yponosticon, et contra Pelagianos, et de moribus ec- 
clesie, et contra epislolam Manichei, et Augustinus de 
cura per mortem agenda, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de doctrina Christiana, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus contra mendacium, et ad Renatum de origine 
amme contra libros Vincentii, et ad Petrum contra 
libros ejusdem Vincentii, et ad Vincentium Victorem, et 
contra perfidiam Arrianorum, et contra adversaries legis 
et prophetarum, et liber bestiamm, et epistole Anselmi, 
in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de consensu Evangelistarum, et duo sermones 
ejusdem de jure-jurando, in uno volumine. 
ioliloquia Augustini. 
'ugustinus contra acliademicos , et de ordine jnonachorum. 

Eernardus super ca.ntica canticorum, in uno volumine. 

ibri Bernardi, expositio scilicet super evangeKum, missus 
est angelus Gabriel, etde gradibus humilitatis et super- 
bie, et de distincta varietate monastice discipline, et de 
gratia et libero arbitrio et diligendo Dominum, ct exhor- 
tatio ejusdem ad milites templi, et libellua ejusdem ad 
Eugenium Papam, in uno volumine. 

lermones Bernardi per anni circulum, in uno volumine. 

!tem,BernarUusde gratia et Sibero arbitrio, et liber ejusdem 



RELIQl'I.K ANTIQUE. 

Also* my doster y may welle say. 

Whatever men telle bybynd ray backe, 
Brother, hit ys no las.se, by my fay ; 

V pray vow therfore nothynge hyre lack. 
Xo more but a letter wold y se, 

Of gent>lnys wryte of your honde, 
With alle the new tydynges of the contre. 

But ever be y schal hym onderstonde. 



SATIRE ON THE PEOPLE OF KILDARE. 

By Friar Michael or Kil.iare, from MS. Hart. No. 913, fol. 7, i 
in Ireland, about the year 1308. See an account of the II 
Croker's Popular Sougs of Ireland, pp. 2«— BM. 

Hail, seint Michel with the lange sper, 
Fair beth thi winges up thi scholder, 
Thou hast a rede kirlil anon to thi fote. 
Thou ert best angle that ever God makid. 

This vers is ful well i-wrojt, 

Hit is of wel furre y-bro$t. 
Hail, seint Cristofre with thi lang stake. 
Thou ber ur loverd Jhesu Crist over the brod lake; 
Mani grete kunger swimmeth abute thi fete, 
Hou mani hering to pent at West Chep in London. 

This vers is ofholi writte; 

Hit com of noble witte. 
Seint Man bastard, the Maudleinis sone. 
To be wel i-clothid wel was thi wone ; 
Thou berist a box on thi hond i-peintid al of i 
Woned thou wer to be hend, jive us sum of lid s 

Tliis vers is makid wel. 

Of consonans and wo wel. 
Hail, seint Domnik with thi lang staffe. 
Hit is at the ovh- end crokid as a gaffe : 
Thou berist a bok on thi bak, ic wen hit is a bible 
Thoj thou be a gode clerk, be thou nojt to heij. 

Trie rime la God hit wote. 

Soch an othir an erthe I note. 
Hail, seint Franceis with thi mani fouh's, 
Kites and crowis, revenes and oules, 
Fure and .xx." wildges and a poucok ; 
Mani bold bfigger siwith thi route. 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 175 

This vers is ful wel i-sette, 
Swithe furre hit was i-vette. 

Hail be je, freris, with the white copis, 

Je habbith a hus at Drochda war men makith ropis ; 

Evir je beth roilend the londis al a-boute, 

Of the watir daissers je robbith the churchis. 

Maister he was swithe gode, 

That this sentente understock. 

Hail be je, gilmins, with jur blake gunes, 
Je levith the wildirnis and fillith the tunis, 
Menur with-oute and prechur with-inne, 
3ur abite is of gadering, that is mochil schame. 

Sleilich is this vers i-seid, 

Hit wer harme adun i-leiid. 

Hail, je holi monkes, with jur corrin, 
Late and rathe i-fillid of ale and wine, 
Depe cun je bouse, that is al jure care, 
With seint Benetis scurge loine je disciplined. 

Taketh hed al to me, 

That this is sleche je mow wel se. 

Hail be je, nonnes of seint Mari house, 

Goddes bourmaidnes and his owen spouse, 

Ofte mistredith je jur schone, jur fete beth ful tendre, 

Datheit the sotter that tawith jure lethir. 

Swith wel je understode, 

That makid this ditee so gode. 

Hail be je, prestis, with jur brode bokes, 
Thoj jur crune be i-schave, fair beth jur crokes ; 
3ow and other lewidmen deleth bot a nouve, 
Whan je delith holi-brede, jive me botte a litil. 

Sickirlich he was a clerk, 

That wrothete this craftilich werk. 

Hail be je, marchans, with jur gret packes, 
Of draperie, avoir-de-peise, and jur wol sackes, 
Gold, silver, stones, riche markes, and ek pundes ; 
Litil jive je therof to the wrech povert 

Sleij he was and ful of witte, 

That this lore put in writte. 

Hail be je, tailurs, with jur scharpe schores, 
To make wronge hodes je kittith lome gores ; 
Ajens midwinter hote beth jur neldes, 
Thoj jur semes semith fair, hi lestith litil while. 

The clerk that this baston wrowjte, 

Wel he woke and slepe rijte nowjte. 



Vigniti octo sermones sancti Bernard] super cantica a 

nooraiD, in uno volumine. 
1 1. Hugo de sacra mentis, in duobus volurainihus. 

Hugo do contempt u mundi, soliloqutum ejusdem de 

iiiiimp, item, de virginitate sancte Marie, solulio c 

dem cur non Hat conjugium inter eundem sexum, 

didascalioii ejusdem, in uno volumine. 
Tractatus Hugonis, et miracula de corpore et sangui] 

Domini, ill uno volumine. 
Hugo super Eccltsiasten, et liber ecclesiasticorum dog- 

malum Gennadi i, et eulogium magistri Johannis de 

Cornubia, in uno volumine. 
Pannormia Yvoms Carnotensis episcopi, in uno volumine. 
Item Pannormia Yvonis, et epistole Dindimi et Alexandri, 

el epistola domini Baldwin] abbatia de Forda, et sermo 

de sancto Thoma et sancto Willelmo, et salubrius ad- 

mouitio cujusdura sapientis quomodo de Deo et de anirni 

rudibus et minus peritis caute loquendum sit, in uno 

volumine. 
Sentencie Hugonis. 
Epistole Yvoms, et epistole Hildeberti episcopi Cenoi 

nensis, in uno volumine. 
Hugo super Iherarchiam, ia uno volumine. 
Robertus super Matbeum, in uno volumine. 
Robertus super Leviticum, sermo magistri Robert! 

lani de omnibus Chrisliane vite necessariis, libellus 

RicardiPrioris de Benjamin et fratribus ejus, regula 

sancti Basilii, in uno volumine. 
Epistole Mauricii, in uno volumine, 
Libri Mauricii, scilicet, specula monastice religioois, et 

apologia ejusdem, et itinerarium pacis, et rithmus 

ejusdem, et de translatione coporis Santi Cuthberti, 

uno volumine. 
Lapidarium, et quidam sermones et sentencie et com' 

Clones, in uno volumine. 

Beds super Lucam, in uno volumine. 

Beda super Marcum, in uno volumine. 

Beda de tabcrnaculo, in uno volumine, 

Beda de ystoria Anglo rum, in uno volumine. 

Beda de tempo rib us, cum quibusdam croaicis ejus, in 11 

volumine. 
Beda de triginta queslionibus, et super Esdram, 

volumine. 
Beda super Samuelem, in uno volumine. 
Beda super epistolas canonicas, et super cantica canlii 

rum, in uno volumine. 



Pul- 



Beda de vita Sancti Cuthberti, et Cuthbertus de transitu 

sancti Bede, in uno volumine. 
Libri de littera Anglica duo. 

, Hystoria ecclesiastica, in uno volumine. 

Historia Egesippi, in uno volumine. 

Historia Henrici, in uno volumine. 

Historia de Jerusalem, in uno volumine. 

Historia Britonum, in uno volumine. 

Itinerarium dementis, in uno volumine. 

Sermones Magistri Gauiridi Babionis, et expositio in Johel 
prophetam et in Naiim prophetam, in uno volumine, 

Orosius de ormesta mundi, historia Daretis de bello 
Trojano, et versus Petri Abailardi ad filium, et cronica 
de Anglia, in uno volumine. 

Libri Aldelmi, quedam nomina et verba de libra capitu- 
lorum, Hugo de Folieto de claustro material!, item, de 
claustro anime, invectio Solomonis, in uno volumine. 

Expositio evangelii. Dixit Symon Petrus ad Jesum, ser- 
mo de lubore sanctorum et mercede, sermo de novem 
mensibus conceptions et octo diebus circumcisionis 
Christi, sermo de sancto Pascha, collectiones sen- 
lenciarum el meditacionum, tractatus super quedam 
capitula de cantica canticorum, manipulus rerum et 
verborum, in uno volumine. 

Expositio super cantica canticorum, Ambrosius super 
cantica canticorum, expositio super Prisciani octo con- 
structions, expositio super Apocalipsim, item, ex- 
positio super cantica canticoruni, glo-e Boecii, et 
expositio brevis super quosdani psalmos, in uno volu- 
mine. 

Johannes super decreta Gratiani, iu uno volumine. 

Corpus canonum, in uno volumine. 

Matheus glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Actus apostolorum glosati, in uno volumine. 

Boecius de Trinitato, liber Catonis, passio sancti Lauren- 
tii, proverbia de libris poetarum, vita sancte Marie 
Egiptie, Hildebertus de edilicio anime, item versus 
ejusdem, quidam hymni, Odo de viribus herbarum, 
Marbodeus de generibus lapidum, passio sancti Mau- 
ricii, vita Taisidis etalii versus, cosmographia Bcmardi 
Silvestris, passio sancti Thome, et alii versus et dicta- 
mina, in uno volumine. 

Versarium de libris Ethnicorum, passio sancti Laurencii, 
argorismus, in uno volumine. 

>L. II. '2 A 



178 



RELIQtHjH ANTtttCS. 



Cbild, thou nert a pilgrim, bot an unculhe gist, 
Tlii dawes beth i-told, thi jurneis beta i-cast; 
Whoder thou salt wend, north, other est, 
Deth the sal be-lide, with bitter hale in brest. 
Lolla, .1., litil cnil, this wo Adam the wrojt. 
Whan he of the appil ete, and Eve hit him betacli. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF TOWNS. 



From MS. Trio. Coll. Cambridge, O. 9. 38, written in the fifteeoUi 

Londonus. 
Hrec sunt Londonis, pira pomaque, Tegia, thronus, 
Chepp-stupha, coldana, dolum, leo, verbaque vana, 
Lancea cum scutis, haicsunt staura cuntatis. 

Eboraeus. 
Capitulum, kekus, porcus, fimus, Eboraeus, 
Stal, nel, lamprones, kelc et melc, salt, salamones, 
Ratus, cam petys, ha?c sunt staura cuntetis. 

Lincoln. 
Hecc sunt Lincolna?, how, bolt, et belha holne. 
Ad monstrum scala, rosa bryghta, nobilis ala, 
Et hubulus flatus, hrec sunt staura cuntatis. 

Norwycus. 
Hiecsunt Nonvycus, panis ordeus, halpeny-pykys, 
Clausus posticus, domus Habrahre, dyrt quoque vicus, 
Flynt valles, rede thek, cuntatis optima sunt hsec. 

Coventri&. 
Contreye mirum, sopanedula, tractaque wyrum, 
Et carmen notum, nova stipula, pedula totum, 
Cardones mille, ha;c sunt insignia villas. 

Brystoll. 

Hasc sunt Brystollys, "bladelys. do^elys quoque bollya, 
Burges, negones, karinre, clocheriaque, ciiL'voncs, 
Wehbys cum rotis, hjEc sunt staura cunlotis, 

CanluaritB. 

Htec sunt Cantorum juga, dogmata, hal haculorutn, 
Et princeps tumha, bel, brat'liia, iulsaque plumba, 
Et syserem potus, haic sunt staura cuntotis. 



RELIQUI-e ANTIQUE. 187 

>ermones sancti Bernardi qui sic incipiunt, sancti per 
., et alie quedam sentencie, in uno volumine. 

Ixposilio super Naum prophctam et super Johel, sen- 
tencie et sei'mones et epistole plurimorum perutiles, 
Laurentius de creatione et operibus Domini, in uno 
volumine. 

'ongestio diversarum senteneiarum diversis sancle ca- 
tholice ecctesic causis congruentittm, etexecrpta quedam 
"e registro Gregorii ornate dicta, in uno volumine. 
inonima Ciceronis, quedam de compoto, regule ver- 
sificandi, in uno volumine. 

Lethorica, in uno volumine. 

ioecius de consolatione, in uno volumine. 
Ysagoge Porphirii in cathegorias Aristotelis, et alii libri 
dialectici, in uno volumine. 

Jiber de miraculis sancte Marie, in uno volumine. 

Liber oraeliarum in hyeme, in uno volumine. 

"jiber omeliarum in estate, in uno volumine. 

Passionale mensis Octobris, in uno volumine. 
issionale mensis Novembris et Decembris, in uno vo- 
lumine. 

Passionale mensis Januarii, in uno volumine. 

Vitasancti Silvestriet alionim sanctorum, in uno volumine. 

Vita sancti Ambrosii et aliorum sanctorum, in uno volu- 
mine. 
melie in quadragesima, in uno volumine. 

Psalterium tripartitum, in uno volumine. 

eronimus super duodecim prophetas, in duobus volumi- 

nibus. 
[eronimus super Ieremiam et super Danielem, in uno 
volumine. 

ronimusde Hebraicis queslionibus, de mansionibus nli- 
orum Israel, de distantiis locorum, de Hebraicorum 
nominum interpretatione, de questioiubus libri Regum, 
de Paralipomenone, de decern temptacionibus, de sex 
civilatibus fugitivorum, de canlico Debbore, de lamen- 
tacionibus Jeremie, de edificio Prudentii, Hugo de 
Folieto de claustro anime, Jer' Gennad', Ysidorus de 
illustribus viris, Cassiodoms de institutionibus divina- 
rum Utterarum, Ailredus de standardo, de mappa, in 
uno volumine,* 

• This is now in the Minaler Library, York. 



180 



RELIQU1.E ANTIQUE. 



Domine Deus omnipotens, rex regum etdominus don 
in cujus manu orvmis victoria consistit, et omne hi ■!' 
ritur, concede mihi ut tua inanus cor meum corroboi 
virtute tua in manibus virihusque meis bene pugnare t" 
terque agere valeam, ut inimici mei in conspectu meo caden 
corruant, sicut corruit Golias ante faciem pueri tui David, el 
sicut populus Pbaraouis coram Moysi in Mare Rubra, et ricir 
Philistim coram populo Israliel ceciderunt, et Amalec] 
Moysi et Chananei coram Jesu corruerunt, sic cadant iuinuci 
rnei sub pedibus meis, et per viam unam convenianl a 
me, et per septem fugiant a me, et conteret Deus arma eorum, 
et confringet framea eorum, et eliquisce in conspectu meo sicm 
Cera a facie ignis, ut sciant omnes populi terre quia invocatum 
notnen Domini noslri Jhesu super me, et magnilicetur nomen 
tuum, Domine, in adversariis meis, Doruine Deus Israel. 

Wrt. 



CATALOGUE OF THE LIBRARY OF THE 
MONASTERY OF RIEVAXJX. 

Written iu the fourteenth century, from a. MS, in the library of J mm 
College, Carahridge, N. B. 17. 

Hi surd Ubri sancte Marie Rievall'. 

A. Codex Justiniani. 
Deer eta Graciani. 
Johannes super decreta. 
Haynio super epistolas Pauli. 

B. Augustinus de civitate Dei, in uno volumine. 
Augustinus super Johannem, in uno volumine. 
Augustinus super Psalterium, in quinque volumin 
Augustinus de decern preceptis, de gratia et libero arbi- 

trio, et epistola Prosperi ad Augustinum, i 
Hylarii ad Augustinum, et Augustinus de predestina- 
tione sanctorum, de bono perseverantie, et Augustinus 
super Genesim contra Maniclieos, in uno volunmif. 

Augustinus de sermone Domini in monte, et de natura 
et gratia, et epistola ejusdem ad Valentinum, in u 
volumine. 

Augustinus de quantitate anime, et Ambrosius (i 
mortis et de fuga soculi et de viduis, in uno . 

Augustinus de perfectione justicie, de correptione et gratia, 
et Dominus vohiscum, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de caritate, et retractationes ejusdem, in i 
volumine. 



RELIQUIifi ANTIQUE. 181 

Augustinus de duabus animabus, de disciplina Christi- 
anorum, de decern cordis, regula ejusdem de vita 
clericorum, de nuptiis et concupiscentia, et Augustinus 
contra Julianum, et contra duas epistolas Pelagianorum, 
et de sancta virginitate, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus ad Simplidanum contra Petagium, in uno 
volumine, et alia. 

CJ. Augustinus contra Faustum, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de trinitate, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de confessionibus, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de verbis Domini, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus super Genesim ad litteram, et versus Da- 
masippe, in uno volumine. 

Epistole Augustini, et Augustinus contra interrogationes 
Pelagii heretici, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de penitentia, et unde malum, et de libero 
arbitrio, et contra quinque hereses, et de bono conjugali, 
et pars quedam de perfectione justicie, et Hugo de archa 
Noe, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de baptismo parvulorum, et ad Marcellinum, et 
de unico baptismo, de spiritu et littera, et ad Paulinum, 
et Yponosticon, et contra Pelagianos, et de moribus ec- 
clesie, et contra epistolam Manichei, et Augustinus de 
cura per mortem agenda, in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de doctrina-christiana, in uno volumine. 
m Augustinus contra mendacium, et ad Renatum de origine 
anime contra libros Vincentii, et ad Petrum contra 
libros ejusdem Vincentii, et ad Vincentium Victorem, et 
contra perfidiam Arrianorum, et contra adversarios legis 
et prophetarum, et liber bestiarum, et epistole Anselmi, 
in uno volumine. 

Augustinus de consensu Evangelistarum, et duo sermones 
ejusdem de jure-jurando, in uno volumine. 

Soliloquia Augustini. 

Augustinus contra achademicos, et de ordine monachorum. 

D. Bernardus super cantica canticorum, in uno volumine. 

Libri Bernardi, expositio scilicet super evangelium, missus 
est angelus Gabriel, et de gradibus humilitatis et super- 
bie, et de distincta varietate monastice discipline, et de 
gratia et libero arbitrio et diligendo Dominum, et exhor- 
tatio ejusdem ad milites templi, et libellus ejusdem ad 
Eugenium Papam, in uno volumine. 

Sermones Bernardi per anni circulum, in uno volumine. 

Item, Bernardus de gratia et libero arbitrio, et liber ejusdem 



IfyJ RELIftt'I.E ANTIQUE. 

ad Ascelinum cardinalem de diligendo Dominmn, i 
versus Hildeberti de roissa, in uno volumine. 
Item, Bernardus de diligendo Dominum, e! se 

de trinilate, et de presciencia, de sacramonto altam, de 
quibusdam sacramentis fidei, in uno volumine. 
Epistolc Bernardi, in uno volumine. 

Ansel raus, cur Deus homo, de conceptu virginali, de 
monte humilitatis, de reparatione humane redemptions, 
expositio evangelii, Intravit Jesus in quoddam caslra, 
et vita ejusdem, et Wimundus de copore Domini contra 
Bererigarium, in uno volumine. 
Libri Anselmi de incamatione verbi, Monologion, Pros- 
ologion ejusdem, et contra ejusdem libri secundum et 
tertium et quarium capita oppositio cujusdam et 
rc-sponsio illius, epistola ad Walerannum episcopum, 
tractatus illius de veritate, tractatus iUius 
arbitrio, de casu diaboli, de concordia prescient!* & 
predestinations et gratie cum libero arbitrio, de sumli- 
tudinibus, de gramatico, in uno volumine. 

Ailredus de spirituali amicitia, et de institutione inclo- 
sarum, in uno volumine. 

Liber sermonum illius qui sic incipit, Petis a ra 
in uno volumine. 

Ailredus de oneribus Ysaie, in uno volumine. 

Ailredus de vita sancti Edwardi, de generositate a 
moribus et morte Regis David, de vita sancti Niniani 
episcopi, de miraculis Haugustaldensis ecclesie, in un» 
volumine. 

Epistole Ailredi, in ttno volumine. 

Ailredus de anima, in uno volumine. 

Speculum caritatis, 

Epistole Romanorum pontiiicum, in uno volumine. 

Epistole Cypriani, in uno volumine. 

Alredus de fascicuh frondium. 

E. Origenes super vet us testamcntura.in duobus voluminibus. 
Uabanus super Matheum, in uno volumine. 

Haimo super epistolas Pauii, in uno volumine. 

Josephus de antiquitate, in uno volumine. 

Josephus de Judaico hello, et Ailredus de generositate 

regis David, in uno volumine, 
Sentencie magistri Petri Lumbardi, in uno volumine. 

F. Moralia beati Gregorii Pape in Job, in quinque volti- 

minibus. 
Gregorius super Ezechielem, in uno volumine. 



RELIQUIifi ANTIQUE. 183 

Liber pastoralis, et liber de tribus generibus homicidii, et 

liber de conflictu viciorum et virtutum, in uno volumine. 
Liber dialogorum beati Gregorii, in uno volumine. 
Liber quadraginta omeliarum, in uno volumine. 
Prima pars registri, et Augustinus de vera religione, et 

Marsias, in uno volumine. 
Secunda pars registri, et liber de scientia dictandi, in uno 

volumine. 
De summa trinitate etfide catholica. 
Robertus super Apocalipsim, in uno volumine. 
Liber sermonum, et quedam excerpta de libris Justiniani, 

et bestiarium, in uno volumine. 

Gr. Ambrosius super Lucam, in uno volumine. 

Ambrosius super Beati immaculati, in uno volumine. 

Ambrosius de officiis et de sacramentis, in uno volumine. 

Epistole Ambrosii, in uno volumine. 

Ambrosius de virginibus, et de Nabuthe, et sermo ejus de 
jejunio, et libellus Ricardi Prioris de Benjamin et fra- 
tribus ejus, de quibusdam partibus mundi, de septem 
mirabilibus Rome, de quinque plagis Anglie, in uno 
volumine. 

Ambrosius be bono mortis, de fuga seculi, de viduis, 
Exameron ejusdem, de penitentia, et Cassiodorus de 
virtutibus anime, in uno volumine. 

Prima pars Ysidori ethimologiarum, et expositio libri 
Donati grammatici et quedam derivationes per alphabe- 
tum inchoantes, et regule versificandi, in uno volumine. 

Secunda pars Ysidori ethimologiarum, et Ysidorus de 
quibusdam propriis nominibus veteris ac novi testamenti 
et eorum significationibus, et libellus Ysidori qui Syno- 
nima appellatur, in uno volumine. 

Johannes Crisostomus super psalmum quinquagintesimum, 
-de muliere Chananea, de reparatione lapsi, Augustinus 
super mulierem fortem, et vita duorum presbiterorum, 
Augustinus de duodecim abusivis, et miraculum de 
corpore et sanguine Domini, et Beda super Tobiam, 
et Ysidorus de summo bono et diversis virtutibus, in 
uno volumine. 

Liber Beati Gregorii Nazianzeni, in uno volumine. 

Paralipomenon glosatum, et quedam expositiuncule super 
epistolas Pauli, et sermones Babionis, in uno volumine. 

Laurentius de consolatione amicitie, et quedam decreta 
patrum, et ysagoge Johannicii, in uno volumine. 

Epistole Senece, in uno volumine. 

Sermones Mauricii, qui sic incipiunt, Festum super festum, 
in uno volumine. 



I RELIQLILK ANriQU.fi. 

Vignit.i octo sermones sancti Bernardi super canticao 

ticorum, in uno volumine. 
Hugo de sacramentis, in duobus voltiminibus. 
Hugo de contemptu mundi, soliloquium ejusdem de 

am'me, item, de virginitatc sancb 

dem cur non fiat conjugium inter eundem soxum, 

didascalion ejusdem, in uno volumine. 
Tractatus Hugonis, et miracula de corpore t 

Domini, in uno volumine. 
Hugo super Ecclosiasten, et liber ecclesiastici-rum i.l.nr- 

malum Gennadii, et. eulogium magistri Johannis de 

Cornubia, in uno volumine. 
Pannormia Yvonis Carnotensis episcopi, in uno voUmm 
Item Pannormia Yvonis, et epistole Dindimi el Alexandn, 

et epistola domini Baldwini abbatis de Forda, etsermo 

de sancto Thoma et sancto Willelmo, et salubrius ad- 

monitiocujusdamsapientis quomodo de Deo i 

rudibus et minus peritis caute loquendum 

volumine. 
Seniencie Hugonis. 
Epistole Yvonis,et epistole Hildeberti episcopi Cenoman- 

nensis, in uno volumine. 
Hugo super Iherarchiam, in uno volumine. 
Robertus super Matheum, in uno volumine. 
Robertus super Leviticum, sermo magistri Roberli P»!- 

lani de omnibus Christiane vite necessariis, Ebdia 

RicardiPrioris de Benjamin et fratribus ejus, reguli 

sancti Basilii, in una volumine. 
Epistole Mauricii, in uno volumine. 
Libri Mauricii, scilicet, specula monastice religrionis, et 

apologia ejusdem, et itinerarium pacis, et rithmua 

ejusdem, et de translntione coporis Santi Cutbberti, in 

uno volumine. 
Lapidarium, et quidam sermones et sentencie et compila- 

ciones, in uno volumine. 

Bcda super Lucam, in uno volumine. 
Beda super Marcum, in uno volumine. 
Beda de tabemaculo, in uno volumine. 
Beda de ystoria Anglorum, in uno volumine. 
Beda de lemporibus, cum quibusdam cronicl- 

volumine. 
Beda de triginta quest ionibus, et super E^diam, in bus 

volumine. 
Beda super Samuelem, in uno volumine. 
Beda super epistolas canonicas, et super cantica cam 

rum, in uno volumine, 



uno 



»• 



A • 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 185 

Beda de vita Sancti Cuthberti, et Cuthbertus de transitu 

sancti Bede, in uno volumine. 
Libri de littera Anglica duo. 

Hystoria ecclesiastica, in uno volumine. 

Historia Egesippi, in uno volumine. 

Historia Henrici, in uno volumine, 

Historia de Jerusalem, in uno volumine. 

Historia Britonum, in uno volumine. 

Itinerarium Clementis, in uno volumine. 

Sermones MagistriGaufridi Babionis, et expositio in Johel 
prophetam et in Naum prophetam, in uno volumine. 

Orosius de ormesta mundi, historia Daretis de bello 
Trojano, et versus Petri Abailardi ad filium, et cronica 
de Anglia, in uno volumine. 

Libri Aldelmi, quedam nomina et verba de libro capitu- 
lorum, Hugo de Folieto de claustro materiali, item, de 
claustro anime, invectio Solomonis, in uno volumine. 

Expositio evangelii, Dixit Symon Petrus ad Jesum, ser- 
mo de labore sanctorum et mercede, sermo de novem 
mensibus conceptionis et octo diebus circumcisionis 
Christi, sermo de sancto Pascha, collectiones sen- 
tenciarum et meditacionum, tractatus super quedam 
capitula de cantica canticorum, manipulus rerum et 
verborum, in uno volumine. 

Expositio super cantica canticorum, Ambrosius super 
cantica canticorum, expositio super Prisciani octo con- 
structiones, expositio super Apocalipsim, item, ex- 
positio super cantica canticorum, glose Boecii, et 
expositio brevis super quosdam psalmos, in uno volu- 
mine. 

Johannes super decreta Gratiani, in uno volumine. 

Corpus canonum, in uno volumine. 

Matheus glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Actus apostolorum glosati, in uno volumine. 

Boecius de Trinitate, liber Catonis, passio sancti Lauren- 
tii, proverbia de libris poetarum, vita sancte Marie 
Egiptie, Hildebertus de edificio anime, item versus 
ejusdem, quidam hymni, Odo de viribus herbarum, 
Marbodeus de generibus lapidum, passio sancti Mau- 
ricii, vita Taisidis et alii versus, cosmographia Bernardi 
Silvestris, passio sancti Thome, et alii versus et dicta- 
mina, in uno volumine. 

Versarium de libris Ethnicorum, passio sancti Laurencii, 
argorismus, in uno volumine. 

ii- 2 a 



BELIQUIjE ANTtQC-E. 

Vilas patruin, vita sancti Gulhlaci, liber qui i 

formula vite honeste, in uno volumine. 
Vila sancti Godrici heremite, in uno volumine. 
Johannes Heretuita in decern collationes, in uno volumiK. 
Libri quatuordecim coliationum, in uno volun 
Prosperus de vita activa et contemplatione, et < 

monacliorum, in uno volumine. 
Liber Odonis, in uno volumine. 
Exposiliuncula super vetus et novum testamentum, 

quedam gesta in ecclesia propassione Don 

tinus super psalmos, et alie compilationes, et regu 

splendescit, in uno volumine. 
Liber Heraclidis episcopi qui dicitur paradisi 

cutio Affricane provide, in uno volumine. 
Sentencie Magistri Walteri que sic incipiunt, Ferculun 

sibi fecit salvatio, in uno volumine. 
Sentencie que sic incipiunt, Dum medium - 

uno volumine. 
Regula Johaimis Cassiani, in uno volumine. 
Psallerium glosatum domini Ailredi abbatis, in una vi 

mine. 
Psalterium glosatutn domini Ernaldi abbatis, in unovi 

mine. 

Psalterium magistri Walteri glosatum, in uno volumine- 
Psalterium Huroldi glosatum, in uno volumine. 
Psalterum Radulfi Barun glosatum, in uno volumine. 
Psalterium Symonis de Sigillo glosatum, in uno voltimtM- 
Psalterium parvum de probatorio glosatum, in uno volo- 

mine. 
Psalterium Gaufridi Dinant non glosatum, in uno vail 

mine. 
Psalterium Fulconis non glosatum, in uno volumine. 
Psalterium Willclmi de Rotelaudo non glosatum, in a 

volumine. 
Psalterium Ieronimi, quod fuit Willelmi de Berking', 

uno volumine. 

M. Liber Jusfiniani de legibus, in uno volumine. 

Liber medicinalis qui appellatur antidotarium, in I 
volumine. 

Ysagoge Johannicii, iuuno volumine. 

Priscianus magnus, in uno volumine. 

Priscianus de constructionibus, in uno volumine. 

Eernardus de duodecim gradibus humilitatis, 
sentencie ulilissime, ajiologeticumsajicti Be 
preiatitmes Ilebraicorum nominum, in uno I 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 187 

Sermones sancti Bernardi qui sic incipiunt, sancti per 
fidem, et alie quedam sentencie, in uno volumine. 

Expositio super Naum prophetam et super Johel, sen- 
tencie et sermones et epistole plurimorum perutiles, 
Laurentius de creatione et operibus Domini, in uno 
volumine. 

Congestio diversarum sentenciarum diversis sancte ca- 
tholice ecclesie causis congruentium, et excerpta quedam 
de registro Gregorii ornate dicta, in uno volumine. 

Sinonima Ciceronis, quedam de compoto, regule ver- 
sificandi, in uno volumine. 

Rethorica, in uno volumine. 

Boecius de consolatione, in uno volumine. 

Ysagoge Porphirii in cathegorias Aristotelis, et alii libri 
dialectici, in uno volumine. 

Liber de miraculis sancte Marie, in uno volumine. 

N. Liber omeliarum in hyeme, in uno volumine. 

Liber omeliarum in estate, in uno volumine. 

Passionale mensis Octobris, in uno volumine. 

Passionale mensis Novembris et Decembris, in uno vo- 
lumine. 

Passionale mensis Januarii, in uno volumine. 

Vita sancti Silvestri et aliorum sanctorum, in uno volumine. 

Vita sancti Ambrosii et aliorum sanctorum, in uno volu- 
mine. 

Omelie in quadragesima, in uno volumine. 

Psalterium tripartitum, in uno volumine. '.: 



< 



3. Ieronimus super duodecim prophetas, in duobus volumi- 
nibus. 

Ieronimus super Ieremiam et super Danielem, in uno 
volumine. 

Ieronimus de Hebraicis questionibus, de mansionibus fili- 
orum Israel, de distantiis locorum, de Hebraicorum 
nominum interpretatione, de questionibus libri Regum, 
de Paralipomenone, de decern lemptacionibus, de sex 
civitatibus fugitivorum, de cantico Debbore, de lamen- 
tacionibus Jeremie, de edificio Prudentii, Hugo de 
Folieto de claustro anime, Jer' Gennad', Ysidorus de 
illustribus viris, Cassiodorus de institutionibus divina- 
rum litterarum, Ailredus de standardo, de mappa, in 
uno volumine.* 

* This is now in the Minster Library, York. 



i RHLlQlJl.fi ANTIQU.E. 

Bernardus super cautica canticorum, Jeremias gk 
ilem, opuscula Beniardi, et epistole et sententie 
morum, Barbarismus glosatus, epistole Senece et 
in uno volumine. 

Sermones Petri Manducatoris, de ortu sancti Cm 
passio sancti Thome archiepiscopi Cantuarienos, 
culuin de ymagine sancte Marie, vita S. Olavi, 
volumine, 

Quedam gesta Salvatoris, sermo Roberti Pulani, rcgult 
dc quibusdam adverbiis etquestiode quadani constrnc- 
tione, Ieronimus contra Jovinianum de locis mistia', 
Beda de arte metrica et de scematibus, Hugo dein- 
stitutione noviciorum, epistola Patellici abbatis ad 
episcopum suum et rescriptum episcopi, in uno volumine. 

Vita sancti Ieronimi et epistole ejusdem, in uno volumine. 

Sentencie magistri Roberti Melodinensis. 

Sermones abbatis Werri, in duobus voluminibus. 

Epistole Sydonii, in uno volumine. 
Libri glossati. 

Genesis, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Exodus, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Ysaias, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Item, Ysaias, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Job, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Item, Job, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Duodecim prophete, glosate, in uno volumine. 

Item, duodecim prophete, glosate, in uno vein: 

Item, duodecim prophete, glosate, in uno volumine. 

Sex prophete, glosate, in uno volumine. 

Tobias et Judith, glosati, et liber Hester et Apocalipsis, 
in uno volumine. 

Cantica canticorum et epistole canonice, glosate, in uco 
volumine. 

Matheus, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Marcus, glosatus, in uno volumine. 

Item, Marcus, glosatus, in uno volumine. 
:, in uno volumine. 



Item, Lucas, glosatus, in uno volumine. 
Item, Lucas, glosatus, m uno volumine. 
Johannes, glosatus, in uno volumine. 
Item, Johannes, glosatus, in uno volumine. 
Item, Johannes, glosatus, in uno volumine. 
Epistole canonice, glosate, in uno volumine. 
Epistole Pauli, glosate, in uno volumine. 
Item, epistole Pauli, glosate, in uno volumine. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJB. 189 

Apocalypsis, glosatus, in uno volumine. 
Item, Apocalypsis et cantica canticorura glosati, in uno 
volumine. 

J. Liber usuum, in duobus voluminibus. 

Glosule super psalterium, G. Pore, in uno volumine. 

Quedam evangelia breviter exposita, exhortatio sancti 
Bernardi ad Eugenium papam, sententie patrum de 
viciis et virtutibus, et phisica, in uno volumine. 

Orationarium quod sic incipit, Domine Jesu Christe fili 
Dei vivi, Bernardus de cantus proprietate, hore de 
sancta Maria, institutio capituli, expositio super quas- 
dam preces, in uno volumine. 

Item, orationarium quod sic incipit, Domine Jesu Christe 
qui in hoc mundum, in uno volumine. 

Sententie que sic incipiunt, " Ne velis tibi ", et Pruden- 
tius, in uno volumine. 

Quedam nominum et verborum expositio in epistolas 
Pauli, et versus de Christo, et de sacramentis fidei quo- 
rundam patrum sermones, in uno volumine. 

Encheridion, et versus cujusdem de morte Roberti Bloet, 
episcopi Lincolniensis, et difficiliores partes veteris ac 
noyi testamenti, in uno volumine. 

Quedam commenta philosophic, quedam sententie Pauli 
et Ysaie, glosate, flores quorundam evangeliorum, aurea 
gemma, epistola Carnotensis episcopi mirifice util- 
itatis, liber sancti Patricii, collatio Trinitatis, sanctus 
Augustinus a se ipso ad se ipsum, excerptiones 
Pannormie Yvonis, soliloquium Mauricii, quorundum 
verborum interpretationes, in uno volumine. 

Psalterium cum dimidio versibus, et quedam orationes 
per rithmum, in uno volumine. 

Xiibellus qui appellatur ymago mundi, et alie sententie, 
in uno volumine. 

Liber medicinalis qui fuit Hugonis de Beverlaio, in uno 
volumine. 

HUH 



190 R ELI QUI.* ANTIQUE. 

ODE OF A LOVER. 

The following is taken from the back of a rent roll of Sir George ft 
of Straalliara, Durham, dated [660, and is in the same nan d- writing u 
list of the tenants. It was kindly communicated to us by Sir CmhW 
Sharpe. 

That self-same toung which first did the entreat 

To lynk thie liking with my lucky love, 
That trustie toung must now thes words repeat, 

" I love the still," my fancy cannot move. 
That drieles hart, which durst attempt the thought 

To wynne thy will with mytie for to consent, 
Mayntaynes that vowe, which love in me first wrought, 

"I love the still," and never shall repent. 
That happie hand which hardely did touche 

Thy tender hody, to my depe delight, 
Shall strive with sword to prove my passion suche. 

As " loves the still," much more than it can write 

Thus love I still with toung, hand, hart, and all, 
And when I chaunge, lett vengeaunce on me fall. 



HYMN BY MICHAEL KILDARE, 

From MS. Hurl. No. 913, fol. 9, r". of the beginning of t*e 
century. 

Swet Jhesus, hend and fre, 
That was i-strawjt on rode tre, 
Nowthe and ever mid us he, 

and us schild fram sinne ; 
Let thou nojt to helle te, 

thai that beth her inne ; 
So brijte of ble, thou hire me, 

hoppe of alle man-kynne. 
Do us i-se the Trinite, 

and hevene riche to winne. 

This worldis love is gon a-wai, 
So dew on grasse in someris dai, 
Few tlier beth, weilawai ! 

that lovith Goddis lore ; 



RELIQULfi ANTIQUE. 191 

Al we beth i-clung so clai, 

we schold rew that sore ; 
Prince and king, what wenith thai 

to libbe ever more ] 
Leveth jur plai, and crieth ai, 

Jhesu Crist, thin ore. 

Alas, alas ! ye riche men, 

Of muk whi wol je fille jur denne 1 

Wende je to ber hit henne ] 

nai, so mote I thrive ! 
3e sulle se that al is fenne, 

the catel of this live. 
To Criste $e ren, and falleth a knen, 

that wondis tholiid five ; 
For je beth trenne worthi to brenne 

in bittir helle kive. 

Godde 30W havith to erthe i-sent, 
Litil dwel jou havith i-lent, 
He schal wit how hit is spent, 

I rede 3011, tak hede ; 
If hit be hidde, ae beth i-schent, 

for helle worth jur mede. 
The bow is bend, the fire i-tend, 

to 30W, if 3e beth gnede ; 
Bot 3eu amend, 3c sul be wend 

in ever glowind glede. 

Povir was thin in comming, 
So ssal be thin oute going, 
Thou ne salt of al thi thing 

a peni ber to molde ; 
That is a rewful tithing, 

whose hit hire wold. 
Loverd king, to hori ding, 

what makith man so hold 1 
In pining 3ive a ferthing 

ne ne sal, the3 he wold. 

Riche man, bethenche the, 
Tak gode hede wat thou be ; 
Thou ne art bot a brotil tre 

of schorte seven fote, 
I-schrid with-ute with gold and fe ; 

the ax is at the rote ; 
The fent un-fre halt al to gle, 



RELIQt'I.E ANTIQUE. 

this tre a-dun to rote ; 
So mote ic the, ic rede the, fle, 

and do this sowle is bote. 

Now tliou art in ro and rest, 
Of al the lond thou art the mest. 
Thou doist no streinth of Godis hest, 

of deth whi neltou thenche f 
Whan thou wenist libbe best, 

thi bodi deth sal qwench ; 
The pover chest ssal be thi nest, 

lhat sittist bold a bench ; 
Est and west schal be thi qwest, 

ne 11113 1 thou nothing blench. 

Be thou barun other kni^te, 
Thou salt be a sorful wijte, 
Whan thou liste in here i-tijte, 

in fulle pover wede; 
Nastou nother main no mijte, 

whil thou no man drede : 
With sorwjful sijt, and that is rijte, 

to erthe me sul the lede. 
Than ssal thi lijt turn into nijte, 

bethench, man, this i-red. 

The pover man bit uche dai 
Gode of the, and thou seiist ai, 
', wend a devil wai! 

thou denist al min ere." 
Hungir bitte he goth a-wai, 

with mani sorful tere. 
A ! wailowai ! thou clotte of clai, 

whan thou list on bere, 
Of fow no grai, no rede no rai, 

nastou bot a here. 

Christ tellith in holi writte, 
That a man of withir witte 
I-biriid was in helle pitte, 

that in this lif was riche, 
Ssal he never than flitte 

fram the sorful diche; 
He sal sitte in helle flitte, 

with-oute wyn and miche ; 
The fent sal sitte is knot to knitte, 

sore mai he skriche. 



RBLIQUIjB ANTIQUE. 193 

The pover man goth bi-for the, 

Al i-driid als a tre, 

And gredith, " Loverd, help me, 

hungre me havith i-bund; 
Let me dei pur charit£, 

i-brojt ic am to grund !" 
So mot I the and Crist i-se, 

if he die that stund, 
His lif sal be i-cravid of the, 

thej thou 3if him no wonde. 

I the rede rise and awake 
Of the hori sinne lake ; 
If thou be ther in i-take 

I wisse thou schalt to helle, 
To woni with the fentis blake . 

in that sorful wille ; 
Thi wei thou make, thou dri the stake, 

to prest thi sinnes telle ; 
So wo and wrake sal fram the rake, 

with fendis grimme and felle. 

If in sinne thi live is ladde, 

To do penance ne be no3t sadde ; 

Who so doth, he nis nojt madde, 

as holi churche us techithe ; 
Ther of be thou no3t a-dradde, 

Crist sal be thi lech. 
Thus Crist us radde, that rode spradde, 

with a blisful speche, 
Whan he so bad, thou m^t be gladde, 

ne lovith he no wreche. 

Jhesu, king of heven fire, 
Ever i-blessid mot thou be ! 
Loverd, I besech the, 

to me thou tak hede, 
Fram dedlich sinne thou $em me, 

while I libbe on lede ; 
The maid fre, that bere the 

so swetlich under wede, 
Do us to se the Trinity, 

al we habbeth nede. 

This sang wK>3t a firere, 
Jhesu Crist be is socure ! 
Loverd, bring him to the toure ! 
n. 2 b 



194 



RELIQCIJi ANTIQUE. 

frere Michel Kyldare ; 
Schild him fram helle boure, 

whan he sal lien fare ! 
Levedi, flur of al honur, 

cast a-wei is care; 
Fram the schoure of pinis sure 

thou sild him her and thare! Amen. 
WtL 



DUTIES OF AN" ANGLO-SAXON KING. 

From MS. Cotton Cleop. B. liii. 68, f, of tlie tenth cenlnrj. 
Promissio Regis. 

■Bis ge-writ is ge-writen stsef be stjefe be Jura ge-write J* 
Dunstan arceb. sealde umm hlaforde a:t Cingestune ba on dag 
ha hine man halgode to cinge, ~) for-bead him selc 
syllanne hutan bysan wedde be he up on Cristes wcofai Uda 
swa se b. him dihte. On ba?re halgan brynnesse nanus, \> 
J>reo ping be-hate cristenum folce, •] me under Seoddum; in 
ssrest ji Godes cyrice ~) eall cristen fotc minra ge-wealda soSs 
sibbe healde ; ofcer is -p ic reaf-lac -y ealle unrihte J>ing eallum 
hadum for- beode ; bridde ty ic be-hate 3 be-beode on eallum 
domum riht ~) mild-heortnisse, bast us eallum arfcest -j mild- 
heort God burh j> bis ecean miltse for-gife, se lifaS 3 risaS- 
Finit. 

Se cristena cyng be has bing ge-healdeS, he ge-eania8 him 
sylfum woroldlicne weordmynt, -j him ece God seg-JSer ge-miit- 
saS ge on andwerdum life ge ac on bam eceaa be jefre ne 
ateora^S. Gif he bonne f awaeg'8 f Gode was be-liateii, km 
sceal hit sy85an wyrsiau swySe sona on his beode, •} eall bit 
on ende ge-hwyrf<5 on f wyrste, butan he on his lif iiece aer bit 
ge-bete. 

Eala! leof hlaford, beorh huru binga geornebe sylfum. Ge- 
benc f ge-16me f bu scealt ba heorde forS tut Godes dome 
ywan -j laedan, be bu eart to byrde ge-scyft on by>i. 
bonne ge-cennan hu bu ge-heolde, ^ Crist air ge-bohtesjlf 
mid his bl6de. 

Ge-halgodes cynges riht is, f he nanigne man ne v 
•y ^ he wuduwan -y steop-cild-j =elbeodige werige - ] amundige, 
•j stala for-beode, 3 unriht haSmedu ge-bete, -j sib-legeru 10- 
twaeme, "J grundlunga for-beode, wiccan ~j galdr;: 
maeg-myrSran ~J man-swaran of earde ndrife, bearfan mid 
aelmyssan fiide, -j ealde, ~y wise, ~y syfre him to ge-beahterum 
heebbe, 1 rihtwise main him to wicnerum sette, for ban sw* 
hwset swa hig to unrighte ge-doS burh his aful, he bis seal 
ealles ge-scead agyldan on domes-daeg. 

Wrt 



RELIQUIJB ANTXQUJS. 195 



ANGLO-SAXON VERSES. 

Bfeom MS. Cotton. Claudius, A. ili. fol. 29, v°. a Benedictional of the tenth 
century, formerly belonging to St. Augustine's at Canterbury. 

Ic eom halgung-boc, 
healde hine Dryhten 
be me faegere Jms 
traetewum belegde ; 
JmreS to jmnce 
jms bet me wyroean 
to love 3 to wurSe 
)?am )?e leoht ge-sceop, 
ge-myndi is he mihta ge-hwylcre 
)>«s j>e he on foldan 
ge-fremian maeg, 
3 him ge-)?ancie 
>eoda waldend, 
?8es Je he on ge-mynde 
madma manega 
wyle ge-mearcian 
metodeto lace; 
3 he sceal eece lean 
ealle findan, 
)?aes ^e he on foldan 
fremaj? to ryhte. 

Wrt. 



**j*0^**0***P*SA*^*S*%^* 



PROVERBS. 



Copied from an ancient set of ten fortune cards by Barrett, and now 
printed from his MS. Collections preserved in the Chatham library at 
Manchester. 

A woman thatt ys wylfull ys a plage off the worste, 
As good live in hell, as withe a wytte that is curste. 

Wittes are moste wyUy where wemen have wyttes, 
And cujtilly comethe uppon them by ffittes. 

In firinds ther ys flattery, in men lyttell trust, 
Thoughe fayre they proffer, they be offten unjuste. 

Good fortune God sende you, I dare laye my heade 
You will holde with the home yff ever youe wedd. 

Tene pound to a pudding whensoevere you mary, 
You will repent* yee that so longe you did iarrye. 



,96 REL1«CI.B ANTIQUES* 

Wheresoever thou traveleste, este, weste, northe or st 
Learne never to looke a geven horsse in the mouthe. 
"Wyssdome dothe wame the in many a place. 
To truste no suche flatteres as gill jere in thy face. 
A widdowe that ys wanton with a running head, 
Ys a dyvell in the kyttchine and a nape in her bedde. 
Pyke oute a throwe that will learne you a choisse, 
With a read head, a sharpe nolle, and a shrill voyce. 
Cholle oute a mater that wyll learne you a choisse, 
With a rede heade, a sharpe nosse, and a shrill voyce, 



BALLAD OF A TYRANNICAL HUSBAND. 

'ram a MS. on paper of the reign of Henry VII. preserved in ihcCbtd 

Library at M a nc heller. 

Jhesu that arte jentylle, ffor joye off thy dame. 

As thu wrought thys wyde worlde, in hevyn is thi horn*; 

Save alle thys compeny and sheld them from schame, 

That wylle lystyn to me and tende to thys game. 

God kepe alle women that to thys towne longe, 

Maydens, wedows, and wyvys amonge ; 

For moche the ar blamyd and sometyme with wronge, 

I take wyttenes of alte ffolke that herythe thys song. 

Lystyn, good serrys, bothe yong and olde, 

By a good howsbande thys tale shalbe tolde ; 

He weddyd a womane that was ffayre and bolde, 

And hade good i-now to wende as they wolde. 

She was a good huswyfe, curteys and heynd, 

And he was an angry man, and sone wold be tenyd, 

Chydyng and brawlynge, and farde leyke afeynd. 

As they that oftyn wylbe wrothe with ther best frend, 

Tylle itt befelle uppon a day, shortt talle to make, 

The goodman wold to the plow, his horse gan he take ; 

He calyd forthe hys oxsyn, the whyt and the blake, 

And he seyd, " dame, dyght our denner betyme, for Gode 

sake." 
The goodman an hys lade to the plow be gone, 
The goodwyf hade meche to doo, and servant had se none, 
Many smale chyldcrn to kepe besyd hyrselfe alone. 
She dyde mor then sho myght withyn her owne woi 



I 



44 
tt 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUJB. 197 

Home com the goodman be tyme off the day, 

To loke that al thing wer acordyng to hes pay, 

" Dame," he sed, " is owr dyner dyght ] " " Syr/' sche 

sayd, "naye; 
How wold yow have me doo mor then I cane 1 " 

Than he began to chide and seyd, " Evelle mott thou the ! 
I wolde thou shuldes alle day go to plowe with me, 
To walke in the clottes that be wette and mer£, 
Than sholdes thou wytt what it were a plowman to bee." 

Than sware the goodwyff, and thus gane she say, 

" I have mor to doo then I doo may ; 

And ye shuld folowe me ffoly on day, 

Ye wold be wery off your part, my hede dar I lay." 

"Wery ! yn the devylles nam !" seyd the goodman, 
What hast thou to doo, but sy ttes her at hame ? 
Thou goyst to thi neybores howse, be on and be one, 
And syttes ther janglynge with Jake an with John." 

Than sayd the goodwyffe, " feyr mot yow ffaylle ! 
I have mor to do, who so wyst alle ; 
Whyn I lye in my bede, my slepe is butt smalle, 
Yett eyrly in the morneng ye wylle me up calle. 

" Whan I lye al myght wakyng with our cheylde, 
I ryse up at morow and fynde owr howse wylde ; 
Then I melk owre kene and torne them on the felde, 
Whylle yow slepe ffulle stylle, also Cryst me schelde ! 

4t Than make I buter ferther on the day; 

After make I chese, — thes holde yow a play ; 

Then wylle owre cheldren wepe and upemost they, 

Yett wylle yow blame me for owr good, and any be awey. 

" Whan I have so done, yet ther comys more eene, 
I geve our chekyns met, or elles they wylb[e] leyne : 
Our hennes, our capons, and owr dokkes be-dene, 
Yet tend I to owr goslyngs that gothe on the grene. 

" I bake, I brew, yt wylle not elles be welle ; 

I bete and swyngylle flex, as ever have I heylle : 

I hekylle the towe, I kave and I keylle, 

I toose owlle and card het and spyn het on the wheylle." 

" Dame," sed the goodman, " the develle have thy bones ! 
Thou nedyst not bake nor brew in fortynght past onys ; 
I sey no good that thou dost within thes wyd wonys, 
But ever thow excusyst the with grontes and gronys." 

" Yefe a pece off lenyn and wolen I make onys a yere, 
For to clothe owre self and owr cheldren in fere ; 



198 relic via antique. 

Elles we shold go to the market, and by het fc] deer, 

I ame as bessy as I may in every [yere.j 

" Whan I bave so donne, I loke on the sonne, 

I ordene met for owr bestes agen that yow come home, 

And met ffor owr selfe agen net be none. 

Yet I have not a ffeyr word whan I have done. 

" Soo I loke to owr good withowt and withyn. 

That ther be none nwey noder mor nor myn, 

Glade to pies yow to pay, lest any bate begyn, 

And fort to chid thus with me, i-feyght yow be in synne." 

Then sed the goodman tn a sory tyme, 

" Alle thys wold a good howsewyf do long ar het were prime; 

And sene the good that we have is halfe dele thyn, 

Thow shall laber for thy part as I doo for inyne." 

" Therflbr, dame, make the redy, I warne the, anone. 

To morow with my lade to the plowe thou shalt gone ; 

And I wylbe howsewyfe and kype owr howse at home, 

And take myn ese as thou hast done, by God and S 

John !" 
" I graunt," quod the goodwyfe, " as I wnderstondc. 
To morowe in the mornyng I wylbe walkande : 
Yet wylle I ryse whylle ye be slepande. 
And see that alle theng be redy led to your hand." 
Soo it past alle to the morow that het was dayleyght ; 
Thegoodwyffe thoght on her ded andupeshe rose ryght: 
" Dame," seid the goodmane, " I swere be Godes myght ! 
I wylle fette horn owr bestes, and helpe that the wer deght." 
The goodman to the feeld hyed hym fulle yarne ; 
The godwyfe made butter, her dedes war fulle derne, 
She toke ayen the bulter-melke and put het in the cheyrnc 
And seid yet off on pynt owr syer shalbe to lerne. 
Home come the goodman and toke good kype, 
How the wyfe had layd her flesche for to stepe : 
She sayd, " Sir, al thes day ye ned not to slepe, 
Kype wylle owr chelderne and let them not wepe, 
" Yff yow goo to the kelme malt for to make, 
Put smal feyr ondernethe, sir, for Godes sake ; 
The kelme is lowe and dry, good tend that ye take, 
For and het fastyn on a feyr it wylb[e] eville to blake. 
" Her sitt ij. gese abrade, kype them wylle from woo. 
And thei may com to good, that wylle wesk sorow i-now." 
" Dame," seid the goodmane, " hy the to the plowe, 
Teche me no more howsewyfre, for I can i-nowe." 



reliqvi* Antique.* 199 

Forthe went the goodwyfF, curies and hende, 

Sche callyd to her lade, and to the plowe they wend ; 

They wer bes6 al day, a fytte here I fynde, 

And I had dronke ones, ye shalle heyre the best behynd." 

A fytte. 

Here begenethe a node* fytte, the sothe for to sey, 

* ♦ * 

mm. 

THE FORRESTER'S SONG. 

From Addit. MS. No. 6666, fol. 60, v°. in the British Museum, written 

apparently in the reign of Henry VIII. 

Y have ben a foster longe and meney day, 
My lockes ben hore, foster woll y be no more ; 

Y shall honge up my home by the grene wode spray, 
My lockes ten hore, ffoster will y be no more. 

Alle tho whiles that y may my bowe bende, 

Shall y wedde no wyffe, my bowe bende, shall y wedde no 

wiffe ; 
I shall bygge me a boure atte the wodes ende, 
Ther to lede my lyffe, att the wodes ende, ther to lede my 

lyffe. 

Wrt. 

ST. NICHOLAS. 

The following fragments of an early rhythmical Latin poem on the 

Miracles of St. Nicholas, are written in different parts of MS. Cotton. 

Tiberius JJ. V. of the end of the tenth century. They are curious illustrations 

of the history of Middle Age Latin verse. The lines are arranged as in the 

MS. with the exception of the last fragment, which is there arranged in 

very long lines consisting of two lines as here printed. All the peculiarities 

of the MS. are carefully preserved. The assonance of these verses is very 

remarkable. 

I. fol. 74, r». 

In Litise provintia fuit quidam Christicola, 

Post transitum sanctissimi Nicholai pontificis; 
Hie de multis divitiis ad paugertatem rediit, 

Cujus pressus miseriis quendam Judeum adiit, 
Rogans ut aurum misero accommodaret mutuo, 

Unde posset adquirere victum sine dedecore. 
Tunc Judeus pacifice dat responsum Christicolae, 

Quicquid a me petieris cito habere poteris ; 
Si vis aurum recipere, fidejussorem tnbue, 

Vel tale vadimonium quod sit valens ad debitum. 



I REUm.'1-E ANTIQUjB. 

Nullus est, inquid, proximus, qui de me sit solliciti 

Sed altare pontificis dabo in loco pigneris, 
Ut si ingratus fuero, et tua non reddidero, 

De me vindictam faciat, quee omnibus apparei 
Dixit Judeus perfido, Nicholaum non respuo, 

Nam in ejus presentia nulla latet fallatia. 
Tali pacto cathohcus aurum recepit callidus, 

Qui in paucis temporibus effectus est ditissimus, 
Tandem ille qui prestitit debitorem commonuit, 

Ne diutius differat reddere quod acceperat. 
Ad hffic ille, quod habui jam diu est quod reddidi, 

Tu habes, et nunc repetis quasi nondum recepem. 
Tunc Judeus expalluit, et admirans ingemuit, 

NicHOLAUMque invocat, ne hoc inultum sufferat. 
Si jusiurandum feceris super altare presulis, 

Quicquid cogor exigere uoccipendo amittere. 
Christianus excogitat qualiter hunc decipiat ; 

Aurum includit concavo quod debebat in baculo. 
Judeo fraudis nescio istud aurum cum baculo 

Ad portandum committitur, sicque dum faint ft 
Tali fretus astutia, perjurare non dubitat, 

Ut innocens appareat, et verum sit quod dixerat. 
Immemor beneficii jurat quod aurum reddidit, 

Quasi victor exliilarat, rediie vult ad propria. 
Sed cum venit ad bivium, oppressus somno nimium, 

lie ultra non potuit, suppinus ibijacuit. 
Per viam ipsam pariter plaustrum ducebant homines, 

Clamant, monent ut fugiat, ne dormiens intereat. 
Jacet ille culpabilis velut lapis immobilis, 

Donee rota volubilis ventrem cum ligno content. 
Tunc apparet dolositas qufe in ligno latuerat, 

Morsque stulti tarn subita falso jurasse conprobat. 
Advolans fama exiit, aures Judei percutit, 

Nuntians quod acciderat de morte lam terrifica. 
O Nicholae, presulum decus et honor omnium. 

Jam diu est quod comperi te esse servum Domi 
Tua maxima bonitas, atque fortis justitia, 

Compellit me Judaicam relinqucre perfidiam. 
[AJmodo jam Christicola fiam per tua merita, 

[Ut] possim tecum perfrui aHernas vita? gaudiis; 
[I]d precor ut qui merito migravit ex hoc seculo, 

[H]unc vitffi restituas, ne corruat in tartara. 
[Tantjo fitexorabilis Nicholaub mirabilis, 

[Ad] vitam functum revocat, qui mox aurum 
[Toltus mundus hoc audiat, NicHOLAUMque dili; 

[Qui] rectam tenens regulam nullam amat fall 



tens. 

; 

rat. 

"B, 

es, 

I 



RELIQUIiE ANTIQUES. 201 



Q 



uidam paterfamilias multas habens divitias, 

■E]rat solitus pergere ad limina eecclesiae ; 
I n qua corpus sanctissimi humatum jacet presulis, 

[Ajtque quotannis debita persolvere munuscula. 
A] se facturum vasculum pollicitus est inclitum, 

[In] honpre sanctissimi Nicholai pontificis. 
Talndem queritur aurifex doctus in tali opere, 

[Qjui pulchre sciat sculpere, auro gemmas inserere, 
"Unliones cum jaspide auro miscet Arabiae, 

SA] Salomoms tempore vix fuit opus simile, 
actum est vas aureum cuivis regi congruum, 
Ljapidibus circumdatuin, mirifice compositum^ 
]Se]d pulchritudo vasculi oculos dantis illicit, 

[T]rahens ad avaritiam per demonis invidiam. 
'Qujod sua sponte voverat, abnegare non dubitat, 

[ Yejrtens ad usus proprios retinuit dominio ; 
'Rujrsus aurifex queritur, cui aurum committitur, • 

^J]ubet vas restituere quod sit priori simile, 
lllle dat, iste recipit, cepto insistens open 

Ljaborare non desinit, et tamen nichil proficit. 
[Injstrumena defitiunt, naturam perdit obrizum, 

V]elut vitrum perfragile gemmee ruunt ab opere, 
Ce]rnens magister propriam nil valere industriam, 
[Sijmul in unum colligit, aurum gemmasque reddidit. 
Cum prope esset annua Nicholai testi vitas, 

Miles iste cum ceteris navigare disposuit, 
Cum uxore et filio, servos ducit quam plurimos, 

Qui sibi necessarium adimpleant obsecjuium. 
Sed cum foret in pelago, pater petit a filio, 

Ut predictum vas capiat sibique potum tribuat. 
Currens puer quantotius, arripit sciphum promtulus, 

Quern priusquam miscuerit refrigidare voluit. 
Qui cum in aqua tinguitur, de manibus elabitur, 
Sed cum cupit retrahere simul ruit in equore. 
Exclamat pater pueri, sufiundens ora lacrimis, 
De tua morte juvenis omnino sum culpabilis. 
Te, Nicholas, deprecor, indulge mihi misero, 

Nee vicem tanti criminis rependas ut promerui. 
Ut quid dixi mendacia nulla pressus inopia, 

Nulla mihi necessitas incumbebat nee orbitas. 
Utcumque lamentabilis miles ad terram exiit, 

Nota limina repetit Nicholai pontificis. 
Non est ulla facundia quae narrare prevedeat, 

Quantum se accusaverit, vel quam amare fleverit. 
Tandem post multas lacrimas offert ingrata mun^ra, 
l.. ii. 2 c 



! REUHLl.fi ANTlQU.fi. 

Qua aurifex reddiderat, nunquam sancto place; 
At gloriosus pontifex indignans tali munere, 

Mox ab aliari reppulit quicquid miles appoauit. 
Tunc res aperte claruit, qua propter infans periit. 

Qui tenere non poterat sciphum quod pater voverat. 
Duni in sacris solemniis festa peragunt populi, 

Etsua infortunia plangit paterfamilias, 
Ecce puer ingreditur sciphum ferens ill manibus, 

Qui corda contuentium mox convertit in gaudium. 
Currit pater exanimis, ruens in collum filii, 

Attonilus pre gaudio vix potest fari puero. 
Tandem post pia oscula pater natum interrogat, 

Quomodo se habuerit quando in undis corruit. 






[IJnfit ille, Cum cecidi. senex micfai apparuit, 

Venustatis angelicte in veneranda spetie, 
[C]ui ut mater piLssima tenuit inter brachia, 

Michique sciphum trndidit, et dixit, Ne timueri 
[Q]ualiter me eduxerit de tam magnis periculis, 

Egomet ipse nescio, sed mirans adhuc stupeo 
[H]oc unum tamenrecolo, quod, educto de pelago, 

Ductor ostendit semitam ducentem ad scclesiam. 
[T]unc subito arripuit sciphum de manu filii, 

Atque libenti animo offert spectante populo. 
[CJunctis mare currentibus Nicbolaub est cognitus, 

Cui quasi preposito vota reddunt ex debito. 

V ANDALORUM exercitus, ab Affricanis partibus 

Causa predandi exiens ad terram Calabritidem, 
[P]assim per agros; homines depredantur et pecudes, 

[E]t quisquis prout potuit obtima quEeque rapuil, 
[U] nus Bancti imaginem Nicholai inveniens, 

Quam ne viderent socii in sinu suo contegit, 
[El t quia pulchre fuerat et decenter composita, 

Sepius ifiam visitat, et cujus sit interrogat, 
[Chrisjtiani mirabilem intuentes imaginem, 

Dicunt hpec est notissima Nicholai ichonia. 
[S]i in Deum crediderit quisquis earn habuerit, 

Securus sit quod omnia venient sibi prospers. 
[V]ir iste de quo loquimur erat telonearius, 

Multis habundans opibus, nondum tamen catbol 
[Q]ui reversus in proprio dum sederet ospitio, 

Vestes et quicquid habuit in aperto exposuiL 
[I]n pariete desuper Nicholaus appensus est. 



dt. 



RELIQUIiB ANTIQUE, £G3 

Cui jubet ut omnia fideliter custodiat ; 
[Hjic commendat imagini, quasi viventi homini, 

Hinc securus ad alia profectus est negotia. 
[Pier noctem fares veniunt, qui omnia diripiunt, 

Jrreter solam imaginem tollentes suppellectilem. 
[S]ummo mane vir remeat, qui res suas commiserat, 

Quas tristis cum non invenit, imaginem arripuit, m 
[D]icens, Nicholas, tuam male vidi custodiam, 

Quia fidum te credidi omnia mea perdidi. 
[T]estor deos et omnia quecumque colo idola, 

Si mea non reddideris, subjacebis incendiis. 
[H]«c dicendo acerrime statuam cedit undique, 

Ac si sentire valeat illata sibi vulnera. 
[PJost quam se vindicaverat, nee ilia contra murmurat. 

In pariete collocat, de quo ante pependerat. 
[I]nde sanctus ad vesperam Nicholaus rememorans 

Quanta illius statua perpessa est obprobria, 
[PJergit ad diversorium qualatrones conveniunt, 

Ut inter se distribuant quod per furtum abstulerant. 
[O] vos, ait, furciferi, quid est quod hie dividitis ? 

Pro vestris latrociniis afflictus sum injuriis ; 
[D]e vestro patrimonio non est istud quod video, 

Nam in mea custodia hsec faerunt reposita. 
[N]e per meum indicium incurratis penculum, 

Et publicem vos omnibus, reportate quantocius. 
[S]ic locutus disparuit, latronibus exterritis; 

Mox omnia restituunt, ne incurrant periculum. 
[Mlane teloneario bonsurgente de lectulo, 

Ilium locum revisitat in quo sua perdiderat ; 
[Sled cum venit ad hostium, repperiens quse sua sunt, 

Nemo fan sufficiet quam alacer effectus est. 
[P]re gaudio tripudiat, cuncta respuens idola ; 

Christianus efficitur, quo nichil est salubrius. 
[Sanc]to per cujus meritum hoc accidit miraculum, 

Fabricavit ecclesiam mirifice compositam. 
[S]emper ex illo tempore Nicholaum gens Affrice 

Pre omibus provintiis miro amore coluit. 
[Nlon est in omni seculo Christianorum regio, 

Ubi non sint aecclesiae ejus nomini deditse ; 
[C]ujus nomen sic occupat omnes terras et maria, 

Ejus sit intercessio nobis criminum demptio ! 



c 



(ELI letentur ordines, congaudens tellus jubilet, 
Pro beati piissima Nicholai memoria, 
[Q]ui in setate tenera pendens ad matris ubera, 



[ KELlQUlj! ANTIQU.E. 

Ostendit abslinentia; exemplum niemorabiie. 
[Q]uarta cum sexla t'erin mammotreptua dmn fuf 

Semel lactatus ubere vitabat ultra tangere. 
[P]ost mortem patria unicus hseres remansit alius, 

Qui suum patrimonium vertit In usus pauperain. 
["V]iciuus huic aderat, qui habebat tres filias, 

Quas fomicari statuit, licet fuisset nobilia. 
[T]unc miserum artaverat tanta panis in up in. 

Quod pauper factus vivere volebat cum dedecore. 
[S]ed caritate fervidus Nicholaus juvenculus 

Extinxit illud vitium per trinitatis numerum. 
[Njondum factus episcopus, auro dato virgimbus, 

Fugat patris infainiam et filiarum reprobam. 
[T]alibus benenciis indolis tanta? juvenis 

Divinitus promeruit presul prepotens fieri. 
[EJx hinc nautas in sequore fractos adverse fiamine, 

Seque vocantes, visitat, dum loquerenturtalia: 
[NJicholae, si vera sunt qua? de te plures referuiil 

Succurre nobis citius, ne obruamur fluctibtis. 
[P]re timore periculi clamantibus apparuit, 

Quern invocant se indicat, Nichol.aum se nomina 
[A]ntemnis et rudentibus et armamentis pluribug, 

Postquam mare injecerat, tumida placal. a-quora. 
[N]aucleri Alexandria? obstupuerunt valide, 

Cum farris abundantiam aspicerent supurlluam. 
[DJemetientes integra mensura? reddunt pondera, 

Preter illud quod habuit Nicrolaus ut petiit. 
[H]oc revelante pessimal patuerunt insidia?, 

Quas Diana fantastico mittebat pro munusculo. 
[DJeferentes ut jaciunt in mare maleficium, 

Velut fornax exestuat, et quicquid tangit concrei 
[Tires" juvenes innoxii morti fuerunt dediti, 

Quos liberavit validam solutos per potenUatn. 
[CJonstantinus non multum post captos tenebat alio 

Sed quod a morte eruit, dicam qualiter accidit. 
[SJupeTba gens de Frigia regi negabat debita, 

Ad quam digne reprimere tres duces jubet perger 
[S]ed cum redirent prospere, hoste deviclo robore. 

Aliqui per invidiam invenerunt fallaciam ; 
[MJentiti sunt quod socii, Arpileon et cseteri. 

Reges valebant fieri, ablato regno Ca?sari. 
[T]anta? capud malitia? fuit corruptus munere 

Prefectus, cujus fraudibus truduntur in carceribui 
[P]ost ha?c jubet rox presidi innocentes interinii, 

Ne simili superbia aliquis lale facial. 
[C]arcera!i custodial notse fiunt insidiie ; 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUE. 205 

Noctu patrantur omnia sicut judex preceperat ; 
( fJ]ustos audi to funere venit ad clausos carcere, 

Sednon valet abscondere, quia defluunt lacrimee. 
[Q]ui videntes pallidum custodem preter solitum, 

Si quid de se audierat attoniti interrogans 
[S]ilete, inquit, juvenes, de vobis totum factum est, 

Nam vit& vestrse terminus appropinquabit citius. 
' [D]e vestra morte callidum judex dedit consilium, 

Preparans ut vos perimat antequam lux appareat; 
[Q]pia planctus et lacrimae nequeunt vos redimere, 

virtus vobis altissima in hac nocte subveniat. 
[Q]uis enarrare valeat quanta fuit tristitia, 

Quae in eorum cordibus versabatur interius. 
[S]ed cum nemo mortalium dare posset auxilium, 

Nee fieret effugium evadendi periculum ; 
[R]ediit ad memoriam quando mare transierant, 

Quod Nicholaum viderant, cui se commendaverant. 
[I]ccirco hunc pre omnibus orant in suis precibus, 

Ut qui alios liberat, servos suos non negligat. 
[E]adem hora concite fidus suorum opifex, 

Constantinum interrogat utrum dormit an vigilat; 
[Q]uo sciscitante, tu, quis es, qui sic ad'me ingressus es? 

Sanctus respondet, Litiee Nicholaus sum pontifex, 
[C]ompatiens hue veneram, stratilates ne pereant, 

Quos ne tangas precipio nisi vis mori subito ; 
[S]cias quod rex fortior te bellum movebit contra te, 

Cujus forti victorisB non valebis resistere ; 
[S]i ad pugnam exieris, et cum eo te junxeris, 

V ictus eris et mortuus, eo quod es incredulus. 
[P]ostquam regem terruerat, ocior vento advolat, 

Et durius exterritat qui eos accusaverat. 
[I]mpie, latro, proditor, digneexitu misero, 

Prp tua avaritia recipies supplicia ; 
[C]onsumptus eris vermibus veluti canis putridus, 

A te fetente longius fugiet omnis populus. 
[S]ed hac vice propitius tuis parcam sceleribus, 

Si penitens extiteris de hoc quod male egeris. 
[Q]uo audito prepositus de lectulo excutitur, 

Pavefactus per tenebras venit ad fores regias; 
[A]ntequam preses venerat, imperator surrexerat, 

Minasque sibi plurimas furibundus intorserat 
[I]lle verbis pacificis regem placare studuit, 

Excusans se de crimine, captos jubet adducere ; 
[Q]ui statim regi traditi, mortem expectant pavidi, 

Gemunt, sudant formidine, non putant ora vivere. 
[I]nterrogat rex milites, Nicholaus hie ubi est, 






1 REHQWI.B ANTIQUE. 

Qui pro sua dementia velim notim vos liberal. 
[A]d notum nomen presulis, exclamant fusis lacrii 

Tollunt manus ad sidera, laudant Dei magnalia, 
[R]espondentes in Licia Mirreorum est civitaa. 

In quo pontifex habitat, quem Dominusglorificat, 
[D]e illius prudentia ac forti pacientia, 

Nusquam vidimus hominem, tam bonum nee lam 
humilem ; 
[P]re ceteris virtutibus quarum nullus est numerus, 

Fulget in eo caritas, qua omnium est maxima, 
[C]ujus orationibus nos simul commendavimus, 

Quando navali prelio fuimus contra barbaros ; 
[I]bi prout potuimus fideles tibi fuimus. 

Nam parva manu mihturn plures vicimus bostium, 
[Q]ui rebelles extiterant, et se dari vix poterant, 

Subjectos tibi fecirnus et miliores ovibus, 
[P]ro talibus serviciis ad mortem sumus tradili. 

Nisi Deus nos eruat per Nicholai merits. 
[Q]uis habuit tatn ferreum pectus, vel cor lapideum. 

Quod non molliret pietas, humanitatis gratia? 
[Q]ui presentes astiterant continere non poterant, 

Multis excussit lacrimas militum eloquentia. 
[N]am tandem rex placabilis juvenes jubet indui, 

Reparans amicitiam quam primitus habuerant ; 
[D]einde ait, Munera ex parte mea plurima 

Ferte sancto pontifici, de quo tanta loquimini ; 
[I]n verbis ejus comperi quia non estis perfidi, 

Sed suo testimonio fideles in servicio, 
[Vlalde Deo est proximus Nicholacb espiscopus, 

Per quem tanta miracula ostenduntur per secula. 
[Q]uod vivitis et sapitis, quod facti estis liberi, 

Tolum illius bonitas fecit atque dementia. 
[0]fferte sibi munera, textus atque candelabra, 

Qua in mei memoria suscipere non reiuiat. 
[E]go et mei filii sui erimus famuli, 

Pro quibus Deo supplicet, nee ultra me terrificct. 
[S]ic alacres cum munere naves ascendunt concile, 

Nicholao in Litia grates reddunt innumeras. 
[T]erra marique novimus Nicholaum pre omnibus 

Succurere quantocius cunctis se invocautibus. 
[D]um sumus in hoc seculo postulemus a Domino, 

Ut hujus sancti precibus conjungamur cselestibus. 



RELIQUIJS ANTIQUE. 207 



III. fol.77, ro. 



D 



ICAMUS Deo gloriam, per cujus providentiam, 

Nicholaus fit propior quam foret ab initio; 
[H]inc defleat gens Gretise et finitimi Asise, 

Mirreaque praecipue, quae tanto caret hospite, 
[C]ujus fecit offensio ne haberetin proximo 

Patronum tantee gratiee, nee talis excellentiae, 
[Pjacis amator extitit dum in seculo floruit, 

Post transitum pacificos semper diligit populos, 
[F]ugit Turcos et Pincenas, scilicet gentes pessimas, 

Quae creatori omnium nullum reddunt officium. 
[VJalde Deo amabilis urbs Varensis promeruit 

Nicholaum cum gaudio suscipere ospicio. 
[Vlarenses et Venetici, cum navibus firmissimis, 

Sepe transcurrunt maria mercationis gratia. 
[Mlodo nostris temporibus plenis frumento ratibus, 

Post Myrreae provinciam venerunt Antiochiam. 
[F]arribus ibi venditis, divinitus admoniti, 

Invenerunt consilium nutu Dei dispositum, 
[U] t redeuntes tumulum sancti frangant marmoreum, 

Cum instrumentis ferreis paratis huic open. 
[Pier voluntatem Domini et auxilio praesulis, 

Intraverunt secclesiam ut facerent quod dixerant. 
[Clustodes ibi quatuor inventi sunt in atrio, 

Qui extrahunt peniculo liquorem more solito ; 
[H]i putantes quod solita vellent offerre munera, 

Non dubitant ostendere quicquid volunt inspicere. 
[TTunc unus e Varensibus, audax etfortis viribus, 

Ferreum ferens malleum, de quo percussit tumulum, 
j[E]x quo ictu per plurimas partes scinditur tabula, 

Et odoris flagrantia exit tarn suavissima, 
[U]t quasi essent positi in paradiso Domini, 

NuUam sperabant alteram post hanc futuram gloriam. 
[H]inc thesaurum arripiunt excellens omne pretium, 

Impellunt rates pelago, vela dant ventis subito, 
[P]rospera navigatio letos perduxit socios, 

Qui corpus venerabilis deferebant pontificis. 
[Qjuidam nauta desidius per somnium est monitus, 

Cui dixit, ne paveas, quia strenue navigas, 
[CJursui tuo terminus herit dies vicesimus, 

Interea in pelago nulla fit commotio. 
[U]t dictum est, sic accidit, sanctus ad ripam exiit, 

Cui gaudens Apulia tota concurrit obvia. 
[Mjiraculorum copia facta per ejus merita 

Commovet voluntarium de toto orbe populum. . 




RBLIQUI.E ANTlQUdS. 

[Djives et pauper properaiil, qualiter 

Ubi sanantur languid! tacti liquore olei. 
[CTomites et episcopi, abbates et presbyteri, 

L.t omne genus hominum, currant ad sancti 
[Ajestas, hiems, etmaria, non retardant itinera 

Peregrinorum hospitum ad ipsum concurrentium; 
[F]it grata remanentium devotio fidelium 

Christo, qui suum famulum facit ubique cognituro. 
[T]e, Nicholas, petiuius, ut qui ire non possutmia, 

Simus bonorum omnium participes euntium. Aver. 

THE MASS OF THE DRUNKARDS. 
From MS. Hart. No. 913, lol. 13, vo. compared with MS. Hart. No.W.! 
where it is entitled, Incipil Itlista Guktnit. 

P . Iacipit Missa de polatoribat. 

i' a . IntToibo ad altare Bachi. H. Ad eum 
coi bominis. 

CONFITEOR reo Bacho omuepotanti, et n 
rubei, et omnibuB ciphis ejus, et vobis potatoni 
gulose potasse per nirniam nauseam rei Bacliidei n, 
sternutatione, ocitatione maxima, mea crupa, mea maxima 
crupa.* Ideo prccor beatissimum Baciumi, et omnes ciphos ejus, 
et vos fratres potatores, ut potetis pro me ad domirium reum 
Bachum, ut misereatur mei. Misereatur vestri cipHpotea 
Bachus, et permittat vos perdere omnia vestimenta 
perducat vos ad majorem tabemam, qui bibit et potal 
pocula poculorum, Stramen. Crapulanciam et [absoroutioneml 
et perditionem omnium vestimentorum vestrorum tribuat voUs 
ciphipotens Bachus, [per talem decium domirmjn nostrum], 
Stramen. Dens tuus conversas letificabis nos. Et plebs tiu 
potabitur in te. Ostende nobis, domine, letitiam tuam. Bl 
perditionem vestimentorum da nobis. Dolus vobiscum. Et 
cum gemitu tuo. Potemus. Oralio. 

AUFERanobisquesumus, Bache, cuncta vestimenl 
ut ad taberna poculorum nudis corporibus mereamur in- 
troire per omnia pocula poculorum, Stramen. Introitus. 

LUGEAMUS omnes in decio, diem rues turn depl 
subhonoret quadrati decii, de cujus jactatione pla 
miseri et perjurant filium'dei. V. Beali qui ha 

■ MS. Harl. 28M, reads here, quia ego potatar potaui nimis, bil,ri*tj. 
ludendo, vestimenta mea perdendo, mea ervpa, and owiia the nexl vl 
several other paragraph! ; in two instances it Ulu maai/eitelur Jc-r mUcriatr. 

t MS. Ilarl. 2851, !iat celcbrantei tub trrorr. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 209 

teaberna [tua, Bache], et meditabitur ibi die acnocte. V\ Gloria 
potori et filio Londri. Asiot, Ambisasiot, treisasiot, quinsiot, 
wiiisasiot, sinsasiot, quernisiot, quernisasiot, deusasiot. V. 
JJolw vobiscum. Et cum gemitu tuo. Potemus. Oratio. 

"TXeus qui multitudinem rusticorum ad servitium clericorum 
JLJ venire fecisti et militum, et inter nos et ipsos discordiam 
•eminasti, da nobis quesumus de eorum laboribus vivere, et 
coram uxoribus uti, et de mortificatione eorum gaudere, per 
dbminum nostrum reum Bachum, qui bibit et poculat per omnia 
pocula poculorum. Stramen. [. . . .] tuum apurtatricum.Q) 

Indiebus nullis,multitudinis bibentium erat cor unum et omnia 
communia, nee quisquam eorum quodpossidebat suum esse 
dicebat. Sed qui vendebat spolia, afferebat ante pedes pota- 
torum, et erant illis omnia communia. Et erat quidam Londrus 
nomine, pessimus potator, qui accommodabat potatoribus ad 
ludum prout vestis valebat. Et sic faciebat lucra et dampna 
e poculo. Et eicientes eum extra tabernam lapidabant. De- 
jectio autem fiebat vestimentorum ejus, et dividebatur po- 
tatio unicuique prout opus erat. R. Jacta cogitatum tuum 
in decio, et ipse te destruet.* V\ Ad dolium enim potatorem 
inebriavit me. Asiat, asiat. V\ Rorate ciphi desuper, et 
nubes pluant mustum, aperiatur terra et germinet potatorem* 
Dolus vobiscum. Et cum gemitu tuo. Frequentia falsi ewan- 
gelii secundum Bachum. Fraus tibi, rustice. [In illo turbine.] 
&' Bachum. 

In verno tempore, potatores loquebantur ad invicem, [dicen- 
tes],Transeamus usque fad] tabernam, et videamus hoc ver- 
bum quod dictum est de dolio hoc. Intrantes autem tabernam, 
invenerunt tabernariam et tres talos positos in disco. Gustantes 
autem de mero hoc, cognoverunt quia verum erat quod dictum 
fuerat illis de dolio hoc. Et omnes qui ibi aderant inebriati sunt 
dehiisquae datafuerant a potatoribus ad ipsos. Tabernaria autem 
contemplabat vestes eorum, conferens in corde suo si valerent. 
Et denudati sunt potatores glorificantes Bachum, et maledi- 
centes decium. Dolus vobiscum. Et cum gemitu tuo. Po- 
temus. Off. t Ciphi evacuant copiam Bachi, et os potatorum 

* The other MS. reads here, et ipse te destruet. Allecia. Ad dolium cum 
fnebriarer clamavi, et exspoliavit me. Allecia. EuvangeL Dolus vobis- 
cum, etc. 

t The other MS. reads here, Off. O vinum fortissimum veni inebriandum, 
et noli tardare ; accipite eoim quod vobis paratum est vitis. Sanctus enim 
didtur agnus rei qui rollit talos in disco. Miserere uudis. Bis. Agnus rei 
qui rollit talos in disco, dona uudis pannos. Pa* non datur, etc. 

VOL. II. 2 D 




RELIQUr.fi ANTIQUiG. 

nauseant usque ad fundaraeatum. Non cantatur sanctus, 9 
agnus del, sed pax detur cum gladiis et fustibus. Paterno 
qui es in eiphis, sanctificetur vinum istud. Adveoiat B 
potus, fiat tempestas tua sicut in vino et in taberna, 
nostrum ad devorandum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis p 
magna sicut et nos dimittimus potatoribus nostris, et n_ 
duces in vini temptationem, sed libera nos a vcstimento. 
Gaudent animse potatorum, qui Bach! vestigia sunt s 
quia pro ejus amore vcstes suas perdiderunt, imo cum E 
in vini dolium. Dolus vobiscum. Et cum gemitu tuo. j 
tenuis. Oratio. 

Deus, qui Ires quadrates decios. ,lx* iij 1 ". oculis illm 
tribue nobis quesumus, ut nos qui vestigia eorum _. 
mar, jactatione quadrati decii a nostris pannis exuamur, p 
Dolus vobiscum, etc. Ite bursa vacua. Reo gratias. 



From MS. Hart. No. B13, fol. 54, v. of tliebeginia ff of llielWu 
century. 



Elde makith me geld, and growen al grai ; 

When eld me wol feld, nykkest ther no nai ; 

Eld nnl meld no murthes ofraai; 

"When eld me wol aweld, mi wele is a-ivai ; 

Eld wol keld, and cling so the clai. 

With eld I mot held, and hien to mi dai. 

When eld blowid he is blode, his ble is sone abatid ; 

Al we wilnith to ben old, wy is eld i-hatid ! 

Moch me anueth, 
That mi drivil druith, 

and mi wrot wet ; 
Eld me awarpeth, 
That mi schuldren scharpith, 

and jouthe me hath let, 
Ihc ne mai no more 
Grope under gore, 

thoj mi wil wold jete ; 
Y-;oket ic am of lore, 
With last and luther lore, 

and sunne me hath bi-sel. 



REL1QUUB ANTIQUE. 211 

I-set ic am with sunne, 
That I ne mai nojt munne 

non murthis with muthe ; 
Eld me hath amarrid, 
Ic wene he be bi-charrid, 

that trusteth to juthe. 

Al thus eld me for-dede, 
Thus he toggith ute mi ted, 

and drawith ham on rewe ; 
Y ne mai no more of love done, 
Mi pilkoc pisseth on mi schone, 

uch schenlon* me bischrewe. 
Mine hed is hore and al for-fare, 
I-hewid as a grei mare, 

mi bodi wexit lewe.t 
When I bihold on mi schennen, 
Min dimmith al for-dwynnen, 

mi frendis waxith fewe. 

Now I pirtle, I pofte, I poute, 

I snurpe, I snobbe, I sneipe on snoute, 

throj kund I comble and kelde ; 
I lench, I len, on lyme I lasse, 
I poke, I pomple, I palle, I passe, 

as gallith gome I geld ; 
I rivele, I roxle, I rake, I rouwe, 
I clyng, I cluche, I croke, I couwe, 

thus he wol me aweld. 
I grunt, I grone, I grenne, I gruche, 
I nase, I neppe, I nifle, I nuche, 

and al this wilneth eld. 

I stunt, I stomere, I stomble as sledde, 
I blind, I bleri, I bert in bedde, 

such sond is me sent; 
I spitte, I spatle in spech, I sporne, 
I werne, I lutle, ther-for I murne, 

thus is mi wel i-went. 

I spend, and marrit is mi main, 
And wold wil authe a^ayn, 

as falc I falow and felde. 

* A gloss in the original explains this word by, .*. puer* 
t t. debile. Gloss in the original. 



I was heordmon, nou am holle, 
Al folk of me beth wel folle, 

such willing is after elde, 

Seo wouw spakky he me spent, 
Uch toth fram other is trent, 

arerid is of rote. 
The tunge wlaseth wend ther with, 
Lostles lowtcth in uch a lith, 
I mot be ther eld bith, 

he fint me under fote. Amen. 



A POEM TO THE VIRGIN. 

From MS. Carab, Pub. Lib. Ff v. 4S, of the fifteenth ceotur 



Mary moder, wel thow be ! 

Mary mayden, thynk on me; 

Maydyn and moder was never non 

To the, lady, but thou allon. 

Swete Mary, mayden clene, 

Shilde me fro all shame and tene; 

And out of syn, lady, shilde thou me, 

And out of det, for charite. 

Lady, for thi joyes fyve, 

Gyfme grace in this life 

To know and kepe over all thyng 

Cristyn feath and Goddis biddyng, 

And truly wynne all that is nede 

To me and myne, bothe cloth and fede. 

Helpe me, lady, and alle rayne, 

Shilde me, lady, fro hel pyne. 

Shilde me, lady, fro vilany, 

And fro alle wycked cumpany. 

Shilde me, lady, fro evel shame. 

And from all wyckid fame. 

Swete Mary, mayden mylde, 

Fro the fende thou me shilde, 

That the fende me not dere ; 

Swete lady, thou me were 

Bothe be day and be nyjt ; 

Helpe me, lady, with alle thi myjt, 

For my frendts, lady, I pray the. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 213 

That thei may saved be 

To ther soulis and ther life, 

Lady, for thi joyes fy ve. 

For myn enimys I pray also, 

That thei may here so do, 

That thei nor I in wrath dye; 

Swete lady, I the pray, 

And thei that be in dedly synne, 

Let hem never dye therin ; 

But swete lady, thou hem rede 

For to amende ther my seede. 

Swete lady, for me thou pray to hevyn kyng, 

To graunt me howsill, Christe, and gode endyng. 

Jhesu, for thi holy grace, 

In heven blisse to have a place; 

Lady as I trust in the, 

These prayers that thou graunt me ; 

And I shall, lady, her belyve 

Grete the with avys fyve, 

A pater noster and a crede, 

To helpe me, lady, at my nede. 

Swete lady, full of wynne, 

Full of grace and gode within, 

As thou art flour of aile thi kynne, 

Do my synnes for to Wynne, 

And kepe me out of dedly synne, 

That I be never takyn tnerin. 

HIM. 



*+^*^^u^*^&*+^*^^* 



THE LAMENTATION OF THE VIRGIN. 

From the same manuscript. 

Off alle women that ever were borne, 
That berys childre, abyde and se 
How my son liggus me beforne, 
Upon my kne, takyn fro tre. 
Your childre $e dawnse upon your kne, 
"With lajyng, kyssyng, and mery chere ; 
Beholde my childe, beholde now me, 
For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

O woman, woman, wel is the ! 
Thy childis cap thou dose upon, 
Thou pykys his here, beholdys his ble, 
Tho w wost not wele when thou hast done* 



But. ever, alas! I make my mone. 
To se my sonnys hed as hit is here ; 
I pyke owt thorny s he on and on. 
For now Hggus tied my dere son dere. 

woman, a chaplet chosyn thou has. 

Thy childe to were hit dose the gret likyng ; 
Thou pymmes hit on with gret solas, 
And I sate with my son sore wepyng. 
His chaplet is thornys sore prickyng, 
His mouth I kys with a carfull chcre ; 

1 sitte wepyng, and thou syngyng. 
For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

woman, loke to me agayn, 

That playes and kisses your childre pappys; 

To se my son I have gret payn, 

In his West so gret gapis. 

And on liis body so many swappys ; 

"With blody lippys I kis hym here ; 

Alas ! full hard me thynk me happys. 

For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

woman, thou talus thi childe be thi hand, 
And seis, " my son, gif me a strok *" 
My sonnys handis ar sore bledand, 
To loke on hym me list not layke. 
His handis he suffyrd for thi sake 
Thus to be boryd with nayle and speyre; 
When thou makes myrth, gret sorow I make, 
For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

Eehclde, women, when that je play, 
And Base your childre on knees damsand. 
He fole therfor fittys or day, 
And to your sught fill wellikand; 
But the most fynger of any hande 
Thorow my sonnys fete I may put here. 
And pulle hit out sore bledand, 
For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

Therfor, women, be town and strete. 
Your chidre handis when je behoide, 
Theyr brest, theire body, and theire fete. 
Then gode hit were an my son thynk je wolde, 
How care has made my hart full colde. 
To se my son with nayles and epeyre, 



RELIQUUE ANTIQUE. 1215 

With scourge and thornys mony-folde, 
Woundit and ded, my dere son dere. 

Thou hase thi son full holl and sounde, 

And rayn is ded upon my kne ; 

Thy childe is lawse, and myn is bonde, 

Thy childe is an life, and myn ded is he. 

Whi was this ojt but for the ] 

For my childe trespast never here. 

Me thynk $e be holdyn to wepe with me, 

For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

Wepe with me, both man and wyfe, 
My childe is youres and lovys yow wele ; 
If your childe had lost his life, 
3e wolde wepe at every mele ; 
But for my son wepe $e never a del. 
If $e luf youres, myne has no pere, 
He sendis yow both hap and hele, 
And for 30W dyed, my dere son dere. 

Now alle wymmen that has your wy tte, 
And sees my childe on my knees ded, 
Wepe not for yours, but wepe for hit, 
And je shall have ful inycull mede. 
He wolde agayn for your luf blede, 
Rather or that $e damned were ; 
I pray yow alle to hym take hede ; 
For now liggus ded my dere son dere. 

Farewel, woman, I may no more 

For drede of deth reherse his payn ; 

Je may lagh when $e list, and I wepe sore, 

That may $e se and $e loke to me agayn. 

To luf my son and $e be fayn, 

I wille luff yours with hert entere ; 

And he shall bryng your childre and you, sertayn, 

To blisse wher is my dere son dere. 

HlllL 



RELIQVI.fi ANTIQ.U*. 



PROVERBIAL VERSES. 



From M8. Harl. No. 913, Col. 02, f . 

Whan erth hath erth i-wonne with wow, 
Thau erth mai of erth nim hir i-now ; 
Erth up erth fallith ful frow;* 
Erth toward erth delful him drow. 

Of erth thou were makid, and mon thou art i-Iich; 

In on erth awaked the pore and the riche. 

Terram per injuriam cum terra lucratur, 
Tunc de terra copiam terra sortiatur. 
Terra super aream subito frustratur ; 
Se traxit ad aridam terraque tristatur. 

De terra plasmaris, es similis virroni ; 

Una terra pauperes ac dites sunt proni. 

Erth geth on erth wrikkend in weden ; 

Erth toward erth worrnes to feden ; 

Erth berith to erth al is lif deden ; 

When erth is in erthe, heo muntidt thi meden. 

When erth is in crthe, the rof is on the chynne ; 

Than schullen an hundred wormes wroten on the s] 

Vesta pergit vestibus euper vestem vare ; 
Artatur et vermibus vesta pastum dare ; 
Ac cum gestis omnibus ad vestara migrare ; 
Cum vesta sit scrobibus quis wit suspirare ; 

Cum sit vesta posita doma tangit mentujn; 

Tunc in cute Candida verruntj vermes centum. 

Erth askith erth, and erth hir answerid, 

Whi erth hatid erth, and erth erth verrid; 

Erth hath erth, and erth erth teriih; 

Erth geeth on erth, and erth erth berrith. 

Of erth thow were bigun, on erth thou sennit end, 
Al that thou in erth worme, to erth schal hit wend, 

Humus bumum repetit, et responsum datur, 
Humum quare necgligit, et humo fruatur; 
Humus humum porrigit, sic et operatur ; 
Super humum peragit, humoque portatur, 

Humo sic inciperis, ac humo meabis; 

Quod humo quesieris, humo totum dabis. 

* A gloss in Ihc Bi»rgin lias feitine. t Mctittir, in 

t Trait unt, in die margin. 



reliquiae antiqujc. 217 

Erth get hit on erth maistri and mijte ; 

Al we beth erth, to erth we beth i-dijte ; 

Erth asketh carayne of king and of knijte ; 

Whan erth is in erth, so I0W3 he be li^t. 

Whan thi rijt and thi WOW3 wendith the bi-for, 
Be thou thre nijt in a throuj, thi frendschip is i-lor. 

■terra vincit bravium, terra collucratur ; 

Totus cetus ominum de terra patratur ; 

Ops cadaver militumque regesfque] scrutator; 

Cum detur in tumulum, mox terra voratur. 
Cum jus et justicium coram te migrabunt, 
Pauci post trinoctium mortem deplorabunt. 

Erth is a palfrei to king and to quene ; 

Erth is ar lang wei, thouw we lutil wene ; 

That werith grover and groy, and schrud so schene, 

Whan erth makith is liverei, he gravith as in grene. 

Whan erth hath erth with streinth thus geten, 

Alast he hath is leinth miseislich i-meten. 

Die vestam dextrarium regique reginae ; 
Iter longum marium quod est sine fine ; 
Indumentum varium, dans cedit sentinse ; 
Quandd dat corrodium, nos tradit ruinse. 

Cum per fortitudinem tenet hanc lucratam, 

Capit longitudinem misere metatam. 

Erth gette on erth gersom and gold ; 
-Erth is thi moder, in erth is thi mold; 
Erth uppon erth, be thi soule hold ; 
Er erthe go to erthe, bild thi long bold. 

Erth bilt castles, and erthe bilt toures ; 

Whan erth is on erthe, blak beth the boures. 

Humus quserit plurima super humum bona ; 
Humus est mater tua, in qua sumas dona ; 
Animae sis famula super humum prona ; 
Domum dei perpetra mundo cum corona. 

Ops turres edificat ac castra de petra ; 

Quando fatum capiat, peqora sunt tetra. 

Thenk, man, in lond on thi last ende, 
Whar of thou com, and whoder schaltou wend ; 
Make the wel at on with him that is so hend, 
And dred the of the dome, lest sin the schend. 
For he is king of blis, and mon of moche mede, 
That delith the dai frara nijt, and lenith lif and dede. 
>L. 11. 2 s 



226 RELIQUI.S ANTIGUA. 

Ich the vedde wel and shrudde the ; 
And thott wyth eysyl drinkest to me, 
And wyth spere styngest me ; 
My volk, etc. 

Ich Egypte boeth vor the, 
And hoere tem ysllou vor the; 
My volk, etc. 

Ich delede the see vor the, 
And Pharaon dreynte vor the ; 
And thou to princes soldest mg ; 
My volk, etc. 

In tem of cloude ich ladde the ; 
And to Pylate thou laddest me ; 
'My volk, etc. 

Wyth aungeles mete ich vedde the ; 
And thou bufetest and scourgest me ; 
My volk, etc. 

Of the ston ich dronk to the ; 
And thou wyth galle drincst to me ; 
My volk, etc. 

Kynges of Chanaan ich vor the boet m r 
And thou betest myn heved wyth roed ; 
My volk, etc. 

Ich jaf the croune of kynedom ; 
And thou me jyfet a croune of thorne ; 
My volk, etc. 

Ich muchel worshype doede to the ; 
And thou me hongest on rode troe ! 
My volk, &c. 

III. 

Loverd, shyld me vrom helle deth at thylke gryslich stou 
When hevene and oerthe shulle quake and althat ys on gro 
When thou shalt demen al wyth fur, that ys on oerthe y-vc 

Libera me, Domine, etc. 

Ich am overgard agast, and quake al in my speche, 
Aja the day of lykenyng and thylke gryslych wreche, 
When hevene andoerthe shulle quake, and al that ys on grc 
That day ys day of wreythe, of wo, and soroufolnesse ; 
That day shall boe the grete day, and voul of bytternesse, 
When thow shalt demen al wyth fur that ys on oerthe y-vc 
Thylke reste that ever last, loverd, thow hoem sende, 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUES. 219 

Avenauntes sunt, e de bele porture, 

Bien afeytes, e de grant mesure. 

D'amer gent est lur nature, 

De fere eux joie e enveysure. 

Femme est la plusdouce rien 

Qe unqe fist Dieu, ce di-je bien ; 

Tous les espieces de cest mount 

Ne sunt si douces come femmes sunt ; 

Gyngy vre, sucre, ne lycorys, 

Ne tous les espieces de Paris, 

Certes, galingal, ne mas, 

N'est vaillaunt a femme un pygas ; 

De femme plus savoure un beiser, 

Qe plein poyn de lorer. 

Eles sunt gentiles a demesure, 

Greeles, bien fetes par la seinture, 

£ tous jours sunt de bele chere, 

Devaunt la gent e derere. 

En eux ne trovera um taunt ne quant, 

Fors grant joie e bel semblaunt ; 

E reheitent gent ou bele enveysure ; 

De folie fere nen ount cure, 

Ja ne verrez femme foleier, 

Ne fust de honme le bel parler ; 

Ja ne freit-ele folement, 

Ne fust de honme l'enchauntement ; 

Mes tous jours remeindreint virgines, 

De nettete fuissent totes pleynes ; 

Mes um les bosoigne tous jours, 

Pur aver de eux lur amours, 

E ensi par grant priere 

Recey vent sovent encombrere. 

Qui a eux mesfet ou mesdit, 

Ja ne serrount ou Die eslit ; 

Ja Dieu ne eyme qe femme het, 

Quar nul enchesoun trover set. 

N'est clerc taunt aparceyvaunt, 

Ne nul autre taunt vaillaunt, 

Qe femmes vueillent blamer, 

Ne rien countre eux desputer, 

S'il ne soit de vileyne natioun ; 

Pur ce ne dient si bien noun. 

Grant amour a ly attret, 

Cely qe honour a femme fet. 

Ly gentil ne les despyt, 

Ne vileynie de femme dit. 



kluqlij: 



STIQUJS. 



Dieu ayme femmes bonement, 

Alaunt com il fet la gent, 

Pur sa douce mere Marie, 

Par qy recovri est la vie, 

Dount chescun doit honorer 

E femmes sur tous preyser. 

Dieu les fist par grant leysir. 

Pur servyr gentz a pleysyr ; 

Pur ce les doit-um loer, 

E en nul point despiser. 

Car de femmes sunt gent estret, 

E suef nory de lur let ; 

Roys, countz, e barouns, 

Evesques, freres que fount sermounz, 

Prestres, moygnes, e abbes, 

De femmes sunt engendrez ; 

Par femme est le siecle sustenu. 

Malt av&unce e molt era. 

Si femmes ne fuissent, verroimenl, 

Cest siecle ne vaudra nyent. 

Ja ne fust-il lee en cuer, 

Que ne savoit femme amer. 

Qy a femme fet vyleynie, 

Dieu ly doynt male vie ! 

Femme est la pluspreciouse chose 

Que le mound ad enclose. 

Je aym femme sour tote rien; 

Car yl me ount fet grant bien ; 

Je ay[me] ferame ou le cors gent, 

De mon cuer lur faz present. 

De femmes vienent les pruesses, 

Les honeurs, e les hautesses, 

Tote bounte e diywerye, 

Dount m'est avis qu'il fet folye, 

Qe de eux se fet hayer ; 

Ja ne ly verrez bien chever, 

Ceux qe a femmes mesdirrount, 

Ja boo fyn ne averount. 

Nul honme deit de eux mentyr, 

S'il ne duissent mort soffryr. 

Certes, pur rien qe femme fra, 

Peyne d'enfern ne verra ; 

Quar Dieu lur ad done le doun, 

Qe eles ne verront si bien noun. 

N'est honme qe soit de femme neen, 

Qe tous siet dire lur bountez. 



RELIQUIjE ANTIQUjE. 221 

Je n'ai mie dit la centisme part, 

Mes molt les lowe matin e tart ; 

Ne say dyre ne penser 

La grant bounty de lur cuer : 

Mes a Dieu les comaund, femmes beles, 

Ensement totes puceles, 

E totes femmes qe sunt nees, 

A Dieu soient comaundeez ! 

II. fol. lll,r°. 

Quy femme prent a compagnie, 
Veiez si il fet sen ou folye ; 
Qy en femme despent sa cure, 
Oiez sa mort e sa dreiture ; 
Qy femme eyme e femme creit, 
Sa mort brace, sa mort beyt ; 
Qy coveyte ou femme preyse, 
Sa mort quert, e nulle eyse, 
Sauntz pris e sauntz loer se vend, 
E fet la lace dount yl se pend. 
Cui ces vers ad en remenbraunce, 
Yl doute femme plus qe launce. 
Femme est racyne de tous maus ; 
Femme engendre ires mortaus ; 
Femme deceit bons amys ; 
De deus freres fet enymys. 
Femme departe le fitz del pere, 
A force le toud de sa mere. 
Femme par sa fauce parole 
Blaundist le honme e pus le afole ; 
Femme afole les plus sachauntz, 
Les plus riches fet payn querauntz. 
Femme fet bataille e guere, 
Occyre gentz, destrure terre, 
Ard chastiels, prent cit6s ; 
Femme refuse fermetes; 
Femme fet prendre les tornois, 
E fet fere les desrois ; 
Femme fet fere les mesleez, 
Trere cotels e espeez ; 
Femme fet chastiels graventer, 
Chevalers e serjauntz anuyer ; 
Femme fet ume de ordre issir, 
E le service Dieu guerpyr. 
Femme engendre en poi de houre, 
Pount tote la country emploure. 



REL1QUI.E ANTIQUE. 

Femme est jotyf pur ly demostrer ; 

Femme est lyoun pur devorer ; 

Femme est gopil pur gent decey vre ; 

Femme est ourse pur cours recevvre; 

Femme est fotere pur tous prendre ; 

Femme est ostour pur preie atteindre ; 

Femme est esperver pur haut voler; 

Femme est hobel pur haut mounter; 

Femrae est heyroun de suef pay! ; 

Femme est plus aspre que chamail ; 

Femme est chyval de grant luxure ; 

Femme est dragoun de grant arsure. 

Unqe languor ne conoit, 

Qe femme a compoigne ne avoit; 

Femme est fontaigne desouz vaye. 

Que tot recet e tot abaye ; 

Femme est taverne que ne feut, 

Qui qe vine e qy qe vaut; 

Femme est enfern qe tot receit, 

Touz jours ad seif e tous jours beit: 

De femme ce est la nature, 

Meynz la creez come plus jure. 

Femme n'ert ja pris privee. 

Si desouz loer ne soit trovee ! 

Femme est leger come le vent. 

Cent foiz le jour chaunge talent ; 

Mes quy vodera femme joyr, 

Je ly dirroi sauntz mentyr 

Qu'il ly donast poy a manger, 

E mal a vestir e a chaucer, 

E la batist menu e sovent, 

Donqe freit-il de femme son talent. 

N'est mie sage que femme creit, 

Mere ne suere^ qui qe seit ; 

Car ly sage Salamoun, 

Que de sen out graunt renouu . 

Qe plussage de ly ne fu. 

Par sa femme fust descu ; 

Auxi fust Sampson forcyn, 

Car femme par son engyn. 

Tot en dormant il perdy 

Ce dount fust si enforci. 

En femme est molt malveysyn ; 

Car l'emperour Constantyn 

Out par sa femme tiele hountage, 

Car ele cocha par folage 



RELIQUtJfc ANTIQUE. SS3 

Ou le navm de lede figure, 

Si come honme treove en escripture ; 

E ly bon myr Ypocras, 

Qe tant savoit de medicyne artz, 

Fust par sa ferame descu, 

Ceste chose est bien aparsu. 

Pur ce vus dy tart e matyn, 

Gardez-vus de femel engyn. 

Nul honme puet a chief trere, 

Taunt ad en femme mal affere ! 

Plus ne vueil de femmes parler; 

Chescun se gard de eux a son poer ; 

£ je vus dy tot sauntz fable, 

Femme siet un art plus que le deable. 

Wri. 



%^**^^>^^^*^^^*^*^*^0^*0^^^ 



ADVICE TO APPRENTICES. 

i MS. No. 8299. in the library of Sir Thomai Phillippf, Bart., a foUo 
Tolume, on vellum and paper, of the fifteenth century. 

Children and yong men that come to this citie, 
And purpose yourself apprentices to be, 

To lerne craft or connyng, 
I counsaille you alle doo after me, 
And than ye shalle not reprovid be, 

Yf ye use my doctryne sikerly. 
Fyrst that ye rise in the mornyng erly, 
Aiid that ye serve God devoutly, 

Withe Pater Noster, Ave, and Crede : 
Araye yourself lightly, 
Be witn your maister in the mornyng tymely, 

And doo that you bidde. 
Speke to your maister reverently, 
And answere hym ever curteisly. 

See your araye be clene ; 
Suffer maister and maistresse paciently, - 
And doo their biddyng obediently, 

And loke no pride in you be sene. 
Serve atte the tabille manerly, 
And love never to likerously, 

Alle maner of othis ye refuse ; 
Ly ve withe your felisship peisibly, 
Answere never enviously, 

And make ye never lye for noon excuse. 



Exchewe allewey eville company, 
Caylys, cardyng, and haserdy. 

And alle unthryfty playes; 
By and selle truly. 
And applie your crafte besily. 

And alwey flee suspiciows weyes. 
Walke by the wey verry sadly. 
And doo your erande verry wisely. 

And loke ye appeire noo mannys name. 
Spende never to riottously, 
And loke ye use noo poynt of lechery, 

And that shalle cause gode fame. 
And ye that wylle be trusty, 
Gette noo goode untruly; 

Suffer summe rebuke wrongfully. 
And answere never to hastely, 

Therin ye shalle fynde grete rest, 
Nowe gode Lorde that made alle thyng, 
Sende these apprentices goode lernyng, 

And to their raaister to be true ; 
Of hande and tunge specially, 
And that they may lyve honestly. 

And alwey goode vertues to sue. Amen. 

HUH 



ST. URSULA. 

'torn Ibe same MS., in the library of Sir Tlioma* Phillippa, I 

Xj. m 1 . virgyns be that wille honour, 

With so many pater noster and aves iherto. 
He shalle fynde them alle his helpe and socour. 

Atte the last passage hens whan he shall goo: 

A faire revelacioun sailh it is so : 
Wherfore he that wille that comfort purchesse. 

May be delyvered fro much care and woo, 
Andfynd in tnis lyfmuch more grace. 



RELIQUI.E ANTIQIT 



233 



idam familiarem omni fidelitate et multociens expertum 
laberet, quadam die in civitate Roucestriffi sumpsit hospi- 
tiuin. Quo co n tin gent e, maximum dormiendi habuit appetitum. 
Ipso vero dorraicnte, tanto furore familiaris ejus intercepts 
est, quod domino suo guttur incidere volebat. Cumque nova- 
culum accepisset acutum, ut conceptum furorem perduceret, 
tanto strepitu ad dominum suum accessit ut ipsum excitaret 
a sompnis. Famulus vero timore interceptus resiiiit, atque 
a proposito desislebat ; surgens vero mercator qui novaculum 
perceperat civitatem exivit; cumque familiaris post ipsum 
civitatem exivisset, subito a proposito mutatus est et ait : 
*' magister, cum Roucestriam inlrarem, intollerabilem habui 
appetitum ut te interficerem, unde et rationale est ut hac 
morte moriar qua te pra^paravi moriturum." Et extrahens no- 
vaculum seipsum pro dolore et confusione interfecit. Non est 
autem irrationabile credere quod praterquam tale desiderium 
in villa babuit, nee unquam prius habuisset, illud sibi ex naturali 
in ilia civitate dominante generatum extitisse. Habitatores 
ergo Roucestria? perfecti proditores existunt. 

Quod autem non Bolum sibi simile generant Roucestriam 
habitantes, sed quod ab ipsis in omnibus aliis seductoribus 
prodilio creatur, ex hiis manifestum. Illud enim quod per se 
est in unoquoque genere causa est eorum qute per accidens talia 
sunt. Ex dictis autem palam est hominibtis Roucestrife ex 
natura pToditionem inesse ; aliis autem hominibus ex mala 
consuetudine. Quapropter enim quod omnes in communem 
proditionem participant, in quamcumque consuetudinem Rou- 
cestriffi participes existunt. 

Existente autem in unoquoque genere, uno primo et minimo 
per approximationem ad quoddam et remotionem a quo omnia 
illius generis majus et minus talia dicuntur, necessarium est 
quoscumque proditores exercentes per approximationem et re- 
motionem ad gentem Roucestriie proditoris nomen et rationem 
sortiri. Homines enim Roucestrire per ipsos proditores quibus- 
cumque aliis existunt: non quidem corpore sed perfectione, 
periectissimi enim existunt proditores, si quidem in perversis 
nomine perfecti uti contingat. Sunt enim et proditores minimi, 
non quidem sic quod minus seducant, sed quia in genere pro- 
ditorum indivisibles sunt specie. Videntibus enim eorum 
cuncta opera minimum est quod omne ipsorum opus aut ad 
spiritum est seductio, aut virtutis simulatio, ut cum eis placuerit 
cautius possint seducere, nisi si quid per intentum operentur. 
Adliuc adde quod ad approximationem et remotionem ad gen- 
tem Roucestriffi proditio secundum majus et minus creatur in 
aliis, ex acr edentibu* necessarium. 
vol. ii. 2 a 



•2M 



RKUQUIJt ASTIQU.Il. 



Exiilente veto Roucestna in regione Any! 
fionem in ipsum inTecit. Quo facinore cunctt Aug 
de genvrc pne cunctis rial ioni bus incomparaliiliter prodilote* 
cxiMuni. Hoc autem palam, si quia inspiciat qua g 
in Anglia a tempore quo ilia pars insula Britain-.- . 
qu« Logria dicehatur nomen Angbte accepit. Contigit enim 
quod Dni'i Angliatn caasa bellandi inirarent, ad. terminum- 
quc rtpgocium deduxerunt quod Anglicis patriam tueti noil 
potentibu-i, pacem cum Dacis inierant, nominates [rib 
Anglorum presides in perpetuum regi Dacorum exhiberenL 
Quo contingenle, Dacorum rex tanquam in propria patriasc 
credens securum existere, quadam die cum privata 
et incrmi ad quoddam nemus spaciatum exivit. El 
malorum Anglnrum magna multitude sibi inopinat. 
ipgumque cum tola familia sua interceptum interfecerunt- Au- 
di entes autem hoc rcliqui Dacorum corpus magnaum. 
?uam secretius potuerunt colligentes ad propria cum i 
Uga tanquam homines sine capite iter arripuenmt. Adliuc 
aulcm curn quidam Anglorum rex filio suo puero i : 
moraretur, filium suum fratri suo commendavit, Fratc-r autem 
ejus excogitans quod si puer morluusessetsibi dominie: 
succedcret, ad mortem pueri omni studio mentis, vultum tamen 
ostendens contrarium, inhalcbat. Quadam igiturdie ipse cum 
puero et uno solo armigero naviculam in fluvio qui dicitur 
Thamesis ascenderunt. Ipse autem Anglife hseredls sceleratia 
avunculus tam precibus quam minis, concivibus Londoniarum 
hoc concernentibus, lantum erga armigerum perpetravit quod 
ipse cullello extracto Angliee interfecerit liceredem. Ut auteoi 
nephandus iile avunculus scelus suum magis simularet, arreplo 
cultelloquo nepos fueral interfectus, ejus interfectorem interfectt 
Corpore armigeri in aquam ejecto, se cum corpore pueri prout 
melius poluit ad lluminis lilora devexit, inenarrabil^ii: 
dolnrem, corpus nepotis sui concivibus civitatis et terrie mag- 
natibus ostendit. Ipsis autem proditionem ignoranlibus, ipsum 
ad regem levaverunt. 

Quis ergo hffic gesta proditionem esse poterent improbare? 
Eodem enim Anglorum regi nephando nulli dubium quod 
Normanniam amisit, cum frater suus dominus excilavef 
manifestafa ab ipso rege Johanne seductione commissa. Cti 
que rex dictus sic modo proditoris Angliam acquisicrat, 
sibi nonreputanssufficere. a venerabili rege Scolorum Will 
tributa petebat. Rex autem Scotorum dedignatus, exerc 
collegit, versusque Angliam iter arripuit ab oriental! 
Angliffi viam incipiens. Rex vero Angliee cum hoc scire! 
pugnam sine maximo periculo aggredi putasset, eo que 



RKLIQUIiB ANTIQUE. 227. 

ht of hoevene blysse hoem shyne wythouten ende ! 
>hyld me vrom deth endeles, etc. 
ich vol of wrechenesse, hou shal ich take opon, 
ich no god ne bringe to- v ore the domes mon ] 

IV. 

Thou, wommon, boute vere, 
Thyn oun vader bere, 

Gret wonder thys was ; 
That on wommon was moder 
To vader and ek hyre brother, 

So never now other nas. 

Thou my suster and my moder, 
And thy sone ys my broder ;. 

Who shulde thoenne drede i 
Who so havet the kyng to broder, 
And ek the quene to moder, 

Wei auhte nou to spede. 

Dame, suster, and moder, 
Say thy sone my brother, 

That ys domes mon, 
That vor the that hym bere, 
To me boe debonere, 

My robe he haveth opon. 

Soethye he my robe tok, 
Also ich finde in bok, 

He ys to me y-bounde ; 
And helpe he wole, ich wot, 
Vor love the chartre wrot, 

And the enke orn of his wounde. 

Ich take to wytnessinge 
The spere and the crounynge, 

The nailes and the rode, 
That he that ys so cunde, 
Thys ever haveth in munde, 

That bouhte ous wyth hys blode. 

When thou jeve hym my wede, 
Dame help me at the noede, •<• 

Ich wot thou myth vol well ; 
That vor no wreched gult, 
Ich boe to helle y-pult, 

To the ich make apeU 



2« 



MCtaQLlJ 



tanturo enira a Roucestria distant quod virtus qu?e Roiic 
proditionem general ad hos non pervenit. Adhuc aule 
ionibus materia ad sus-cptioncm proditionisest ii 
posiui. Gailici quidem quoniam ex bona provisioue qua 
incepta complent, Scot! vera proditioni non acquiescunt, ta 
quam probitate corporis et mentis audacia omnia potentes ei 
plere. Anglicis autem accidit contrarium. Quamquamer 
ID agendis sunt providi, sintque corpore robusti, mente tar 
deficiunt, ut expleant igitur quod inceperant proditioneii 
gent. Palam etiam ex hiis quod Scotis maxime contrarian 
quapropter et eisdem magis ut noceant insidiantur. Sed n 
untes dicamus quantum Roucestria in Anglia situatur, ■ 
virtus per totam regionem se potest extendere. Cumque et 
Anglici a prima generatione eorum aliqualiter prodita 
extiterunt, proditione namque partem Britaneec qua Ai 
dicitur acquisierunt, si quidem vera? sint quae de reg 
eorum scriptfe sunt historiae, palamque Anglici maxime 51 
dispositi ut proditionem qure a Roucestria procedit facill' 
suscipiant. Aut aliter solventes, dicemus quoniam 1 
ditionis causa secundum remotionem et appropinquation 
localem Roucestria? attenditur, sed potius primorum dis 
sic utique in promptu, causam prodiiionis in omnibus aliis pi 
ditoribus assignabimus. Palam autem lia?c ex moribus >; 
non solum habitantibus Roucestriam, sed etiam cunctis ins 
Anglicis; mente namque deficientes, blanditiores exist 
blandientes quos decipiunt, queeque viribus et blanditiis ■ 
quirere nequeunt, proditione acquirunt. Quicumque aut. 
seducunt, aut latenter hoc faciunt, aut adulando, Hsec aut 
ambo seductionis genera Anglicis manifeste insunt. 
enim possunt, blandientes seducunt, quos autem tanquam n 
tiam eorum expertos aut vigore preevaleutes blandiri nec_ 
unt, latenter insidiantur. Quicumque igitur proditores a 
secundum morum approximation em ad Anglicos et distantii 
magis vel minus tales existunt. Scotis igitur et Gallicis si 
cundum mores Anglicis contrariis existentibus, non inest p 
ditio, nisi si quis lllorum prater naturam operatur. 

Utrum autem virtus sit aut vitium talia de Anglicis dice 
cum eis insunt, perscrutandum. Quod igitur hoc homini e 
natura sua inest, ut omnium hominum nationem, nisi si' 
nocuerint, virtutisque opus ■ sit talia agere ex quibus 1 
amicis removentur nocua, palam quod virtuti adjacet homin 
a fraude Anglicorum praemunire. Nobis autem non potentibi 
habere colloquium cum omnibus cum quibus Anglici partici 
ent, has Anglorum proprietates conscripsimus quam brevi" 
quatiquam qu<e scripla sunt mille actibus Anglorum (_ 
tempore noslro acti sunt possent approbari. Et hrec quidi 



RELIQUIA ANTIQUE. 229 

Wey syker ous 3arke and lene, 

That we Jesus y-soe, 

And ever blythe boe ! 
To the vader, Cryst, and to the Holy Gost, beo thonk and he- 

ryinge, 
To threo persones and o God, o menske and worshypinge! 

VI. 

Come, shuppere, Holy Gost, of feth oure thouhtes 
Vul wyth grace of hevene, heortes that thou wrouhtest ; 
Thou that art cleped vorspekere, and 3yft vrom God y-send, 
Weolle of lyf vur charite and gostlych oynement. 
Thou jyfst the sevene 3yftes, thou vinger of Godes honde, 
Thou makest tonge of vles3e speke leodene of uche londe, 
Bend lyht in oure wyttes, in oure heortes love ; 
Ther oure body is leothe-wok, 3yf strengthe vrom above ; 
Shyld ous vrom the veonde, and 3yf ous gryth anon, 
That woe wyten ous vrom sunne thorou the lodesmon. 
Of the vader and the sone thou jyf ous knoulechinge, 
To leve that vel of in bothe thou ever boe woninge.* 
"Woele to the vader, and to the sone that vrom deth aros, 
And also thes Holy Gost ever worshipe and los. 

HUU. 

* Herebert bas written the word " lovinge " above this as if in doubt which 
to U06. The following lines in another part of the MS. are curious — 

Also the lanterne in the wynd that sone is aqueynt, 
Ase sparkle in the se that sone is adreynt, 
Ase vom in the strem that 6one is to-thwith, 
Ate smoke in the lift that passet oure sith. 



SATIRE AGAINST THE INHABITANTS 
ROCHESTER. 

From a MS. of llie fourteenth century, preserved in the Bibl 
du Rol, at Paris. For the transcript of this singular epecltne 
•atire, I am indebted to the kindness of 51. Putilin Paris. There ci 
doubt that this satire was written in France. 

Jncipiunt proprielates Anglicorum. 

De animalibus Rouceatrke e.xistentibus, qualia quidem 
matia sint perscrutandum ; in qua quidem specie ani 
collocentur ex hiis qua? ad sensum eis insunt primo ma 
tantes. GeneraUones quoque eorum ex bine narrando, propria 
eorum pass i ones de ipsisdemonstrabimus. Utrum igitur diettv 
rum animaiium genus una sit determinatarum ab Aristotile spe- 
cierum considerandum, supponentes quod ad sensum notura eS, 
quoniam dicta animalia caudas habent. Quod quid, 
homines non sunt, palam ex hiis qua? ab Aristotile in de Pari- 
bus Animaiium dicta sunt. Ibi namque ostensum est, quod 
hoiiiiuibus caudam inesse non contingit. Si quidem igitur di- 
cantur homines, hoc erit equivoce. Ex eisdem etiam ostensom 
sit, quoniam non erunt symia;. Nos enim neque videmus tit- 
quam necab aliquibusaccepimus caudas inesse symeis. 
autem symete unquam fere pilose sunt, ha?c autem non. Quod 
aut.em epigenei aut silveslres homines non sint, si sint tales 
atiqui, manifestum : civilatem inhabitant, quod epigeneis out 
silvestribus non competit hominibus. Utrum autem aliqu* 
sint species quadrupedum, nullus utique dubitat : duos enim 
tantum pedes habent. Sed quoniam alas non habent, non i?rim< 
utique volatilia. Reptilia vero non erunt, pedes enim iiabeal. 
Siquidem sub aqua ponerentur, suffocarentur utique : quare 
pisces non erunt. Quod quidem igitur animalia Roucestrivo 
inhabitantia nulla utique erunt animaiium ab Aristotile determi- 
natorum ex dictis est manifestum. Quod autem anin,.: 
nullus dubitat; sentiunt enim et intuentur, per qua? philosophi 
animal a non animali distinxerunt. Rationabile igitur illi gratel 
agere copiosas, qui talibus animalibus causa fuit exisl 
plura enim sciendi quam aliqui priorum sciverunt nol 
sionem tradidit. Mundum namque una rerum specie quam 
pnus non habuit ditavit. Quum autem ctetera animalia ab ho- 
minibus omnino divisa non sunt, palam erit. Ratiocinatur enim 
et leges habent, qua? nullt alteri generi animaiium competuoL 
Aliquid igitur hominis habent. Sed quod perfecte horn . 



RELlQUIiE ANTIQUifi. 231 

feunt, caudarum ostendit appositio. Si quidem igitur dicantur 
homines, hoc enim ut dictum est erit equivoce : monstra 
enim sunt. — Quum autem eis unum nomen proprium non 
habemus, vocentur sermonis gratia ; sed tamen non lateat in 
hiis et hominibus veris rationem hominis equivocari. 

De generatione autem hominum Roucestriaejam tractandum. 
"Contigit itaque ut cum Britones proditione Saxonum Brita- 
neam amisissent, Saxones illam partem Britaneae quam ac- 
quisierant, ex Angloe civitate quadam Saxoniae a qua primo 
processerunt, Angliam vocaverunt. Britonibus autem christi- 
anissimae fidei existentibus, Saxones templa quae in honore 
Dei Sanctorumque suorum construxerant Britones destruxe- 
runt, templa suis diis surdis et vanis construentes. Post multi 
vero temporis spatium, condolens urbis Romanae episcopus 
tantae terrae subversionem, quemdam virum religiosum nomine 
Augustinum ad partes Angliae delegavit, ut ibidem verbum 
Dei Anglicis adhuc infidehbus existentibus praedicaret. Qui 
cum sibi jussum fuerat iter arripiens ad dictam patriam per- 
venit, ibique verbum Dei praedicando per multum tempus 
parum potuit exaudiri. Vir tamem Dei labores et angustias 
non reputans, sed magis illius gentis salutem intendens, a prae- 
dicatione non desistebat, quousque majorem partem illius insulae 
ad fidem christianam vocaverat. Cumque de civitate in civita- 
lem praedicando transiret, contigit ut in civitate quae Roucestria 
dicitur semel praedicarjet. Ipso autem praedicante, concives ci- 
vitatis accesserunt, et verba ejus mendacia reputantes, multa 
ei obprobria intulerunt. Post multorum vero obprobriorum 
angustiam, caudas porcorum et vaccarum fimbreis vestimento- 
rom eis alligantes,in faciemque ejus conspuentes, ipsum de civi- 
tate ejecerunt. Ejectus vero de civitate contristatus est valde, 
et in oratione positus oravit dicens : " Domine Jhesu Christe, 
pro cujus fidei exaltationem ad has partes iter arripui,sicut fidem 
tuam fideliter praedicavi, nee tamen gentem hujus civitatis 
convertere potui, suscipe orationem meam, et immitte eis ig- 
nominiam sempiternam, ut cognoscant quod nichil a memet 
ipso dixi, sed ea quae ex te suscepi praedicavi, et ut sciant 
Abprobrium tibi illatuin non michi sed tibi intulerunt, et quam 
potens es cum tibi placuerit vindictam assumere." Cumque ora- 
tionem complevisset, flevit amare. Et cum fleret, tale meruit 
audire responsum : " Augustine, surge nomenque meum indu- 
bitanter praedica, quoniam mihi placent opera tua, et in hiis 
quod postulas exaudieris." Volens igitur Deus de obprobrio 
sibi servoque suo illato vindictam assumere, instituit ut omnes 
qui ex tunc in civitate Roucestriae nascerentur caudas ad modum 
porcorum haberent. Quod vero, sicut dictum est, contigit. 
Unde et universi civitatis praedictae incoli omnisque terrae cir- 



232 



UQI IS INTIQU.K. 






cumadjacentis magis timore quam amore ad fidem Chrii 
conversi. Non tamen potuit auferri quin cauilas habe 
ex tunc enim et adhuc et in seternum existent caudal i. 
igilur modo habitatores RoucestriaB generabantur ; quod a 
univoce homines non sunt, ex quo caudas habent n 
est. 

Quod autem ad Bcibilis mulli plication em mukiplic 
scientite manifestum est, quum nobis ex ortu incholarum £ 
cestrise una acerevit scientia, in qua passiones etiruiu d 
omnibus demonstrarem. Cum igitur caudas habent, cool 
ut cum irascunt.ur caudas erigunt, quapropter cum iras 
sedere nequeunt. Si vero in aliqua terra animalism L 

Sonerentur, esset in genere horainum, rationantur elei 
'nusqutsque autem aliter ea quae sunt suae speeiei, nisi 
nocuerint, diligit. Hiis autena qua sunt Roucestrise accidtt < 
trarium. Quoniam enim aut homines non sunt, aut si I 
transiigurati et monstruosi sunt, nullam diligunt hominum 
tionem; ipsis enim transfiguratiset monstruosis exeunlibu- 
corpore, necesse est quod habeant perversaset monstruosasn 
raw passiones. Ceteris enim hominibus talker consuelud 
exeunlibus, quum albs homines, nisi sibi nocuerint, a p 
culiseripere intendunt, hii autem qui sunt Roucestttn chbJ 
alios ex proposito seducunt. Adhuc autem ut pervcrsiU 
anirnee corporis trans figurationi magis conforment, i. 
existunt. Cuculo enim proprium ovum non potenle (ore 
ipsum curucBE supponit. Curuca vero ovum cuculi ita cunosa 
sicut et proprium custodii, quousque exinde cuculus parrui 
procreatur, qui cum potestatem volandi et sibi fomentuca qua.*- 
rendi habuit, et curuca fornento non amplius indiget, ipsam 
curucam devorat et manducat. Sic unusquisque in ipsis qui 
Roucestriam habitant contigit. Quanto enim in aliis 
commoda pluresque honores perpetraverint, tanto ciu 
exalfantur, alius qui eis causa fuit exallationis, subversion) 
ipso inopinante, excogitant. Unde et Roucestriae dicn 
ingratissimi existunt. Ceteris quidem hominibus si ii 
ductores sunt, seductione ex parva consuetudine ac 
habitantibus Roucestriam ex naturaEi corporis com: 
seductionem et ingratiludinem inesse manifestum est. 

Perfeclo autem unoquoque exeunte, quando nihil a . 
esse eorum quae secundum naturam suee speeiei inesse feruniur, 
et compolens est sibi simile generasse, habitatores Rou 
perfecti proditores sunt dicendi; omnia enim quae ad quew- 
cumque speciem proditionis exiguntur eis inesse per i 
manil'estum est. Possunt ergo sibi simile generare. Omoa 
enim qui sibi affines sunt sua prodifione inficiuntur. ' 
;it autem ut cum quidam mercator Romanus Anglian. 



RHLIQUl* ANTIQUE. 



233 



m Jam famibarem oroni fidelitate et multociens expertum 

ret, quadam die in civitate Roucestriffi sumpsit hospi- 

. Quocontingente, maximum donniendi habuit appetitum. 

vero dormiente, tanto furore familiaris ejus interceptus 

quod domino suo guttur incidere volebat. Cumque nova- 

i accepisset acutum, ut conceptual furorem perduceret, 

a strepiUi ad dominum suum accessit ut ipsum excitaret 

mpnis. Famulus vero timore interceptus resiliit, atque 

wsito desistebat; surgens vero mercator qui novaculum 

Krat civitatem exivit; cumque familiaris post ipsum 

tern exivisset, subito a proposito mutalus est et ait: 

D ister, cum Roucestriam intrarem, intollerabilem habui 

■titum ut te interficerem, unde et rationale est ut hac 

e moriar qua te preeparavi moriturum." Et extrahens no- 

lum seipsum pro dolore et confusione interfecit. Non est 

l irrationabile credere quod prreterquam tale desiderium 

a habuit, nee unquam prius habuisset, illud sibi ex naturali 

i civitate dominante generatum extiiisse. Habitatores 

^.oucestriffi perfecli prodi tores existunt. 

d mi tern non solum sibi simile geneiant Roucestriam 

mtes, sed quod ab ipsis in omnibus aliis seductoribus 

'o creatur, ex hiis manifestum. Illud enim quod per se 

nunoquoque genere causa est eorum qute per accidens talia 

Ex dictis autem palam est bominibus Roucestriai ex 

i proditionem inesse; aliis autem hominibus ex mala 

letudine. Quapropter enim quod omnes in communem 

" mem participant, in quamcumque consuetudinem Rou- 

e participes existunt. 

istente autem in unoquoque genere, uno primo et minimo 
pproximationem ad quoddam et remotionem a quo omnia 
generis majus et minus talia dicuntur, necessarium est 
:umque proditores exercentes per approximationem et re- 
mem ad gentem Roucestrire pioditoris nomen et rationem 
■i. Homines enim Roucestria? per ipsos prodi to res quibus- 
|ue aliis existunt: non quidem corpore sed perfectione, 
:tissimi enim existunt proditores, si quidem in perversis 
eperfecti uti contingat. Sunt enim et proditores minimi, 
uidem sic quod minus seducant, sed quia in genere pro- 
i mdivisibiles sunt specie. Videntibus enim eorum 
a opera minimum est quod omne ipsorum opus aut ad 
m est seductio, aut virtutis simulatio, ut cum eia placuerit 
s possint seducere, nisi si quid per intentum operentur. 
c adde quod ad approximationem et remotionem ad gen- 
i Roucestriam proditio secundum majus et minus creatur in 
, ex accede nli bus necessarium. 
2g 



2$) 



RELlyUI.* ANTIQL'.fi, 



Exislente vero Rouceslria in regione Anglinuni, tola 
gionem in ipsum infecit. Quo facinore cuncti Anglici ii 
de genere pra? cunctis nationibus incomparabiliter ] 
existunt. Hoc autem palam, si quis inspiciat quse ges 
in Anglia a tempore quo ilia pars insula Britanneae a 
quae Logria dicebatur nouien Anglias accepit. Conligi 
quod Daci Angliam causa bellaudi intrarent, ad ten 
que negoctum deduxerunt quod Anglicis patriam lui 
potentibus, pacem cum Dacis inierant, normnatia tribum 
Anglorum presides in perpetuum regi Dacorurn i 
Quo contingente, Dacorurn rex tanquam in propria [ 
credens securum existere, quadam die cum privata s 
et inermi ad quoddam nemus spaciatum exivit. Et & 
matorum Anglorum magna multitudo sibi inopinate c 
ipsumque cum tota familia sua intercept urn interii 
dienles autem hoc reliqui Dacorurn corpus magnatum s 
quam secretins potuerunt colligentes ad propria cum fi 
fuga tanquam homines sine capite iter airipuerunt. 
autem cum quidam Anglorum rex filio suo puero e] 
moraretur, filium suum fratri suo commendavit. Frater a 
ejus excogitans quod si puer mortuusesset sibi dominium A 
succederet, ad mortem pueri omni studio mentis, vultum L 
ostendens contrarium, inhalebat. Quadam igiturdie ipse 
puero et uno solo armigero navicutam in fluvio qui d: 
Thamesis asccnderunt. Ipse autem Anglia; haeredis scele 
avunculus tarn precihus quam minis, concivibus Lnndoni; 
hoc concementibus, lantum erga armigerum perpetravil • 
ipse cull.ollo extracto Anglise interfecerit liEeredem. Ut a 
nepliandus ille avunculus scelus suum magis simularet, ar 
cultelloquo nepos fuerat interfectus, ejus interfectorem tntei 
Corpore armtgeri in aquam ejecto, se cum corpore p 
melius potuit ad fluminis litora devexit, inenarrabilem f 
dolorem, corpus nepotis sui concivibus civitatis el ler 
natibu^ ostendit. Ipsis autem proditionem ignorautibus, i 
ad re gem levaverunt. 

Quis ergo hjec gesta pToditionem esse poteri 
Eodem enim Anglorum rcgi nephando nulli dubium i 
Normanniam amisif., cum frater suus domirms i 
manifestata ab ipso rege Johanne seductione <• ■■■ 
que rex dictus sic modo proditoris Angliam 4£ 
sibi nonreputanssufficere. a venerabili rege Scotorum Will 
tributa petebat. Rex autem Scotorum dedignaius, exei 
collegit, versusque Angliam iter arripuit ab orients" 
Anghae viam incipiens. Rex vero AngHfe euro hoc scirt 
pugnam sine maximo periculo aggredi putasset, co qm 



t' [reliquiae ANTIQUE. 235 

1 ■ 

* 

Scotiae jam magnam partem sibi mancipaverat, alia fraude 
permunitus ex parte alia intra vit in Scotiam. Cumque primam. 
villam quam invenit igne succensit, et ad castellum quod Puel- 
larum dicitur ex remotis aspexit illiusque castelli munitiones 
non sperans devincere, spe vacuus est reversus. Rex vero 
Sootorum intrepidus transiens, totam Angliam sibi per ju- 
ramenta principum subjugavit, veniensque ad Doroberniam, 
equum ascendit, et mare quod Flandriam ab Anglia separat in- 
travit. Cumque mare tantum ascendisset, quod ulterius non 
nisi equo natante transire posset, haec ait: " Si proditori Anglo- 
rum adhuc perdendum remaneret, adhuc non redirem." Hiis 
dictis exercitum adunavit, et cum gaudio remeavit. Cumque ad 
villam quae Castellum Novum dicitur veniret, tamqu am in pro- 
prio credens existere, remisit exercitum, atque ibi cum privata 
societate remansit. pro dolor et infortunium ! Nam cum 
hoc regi Anglorum denunciatum fuerat, ecce armatorum mul- 
titudo cum impetu irruens regem Scotorum interceptum iner- 
xnem acceperunt, eumque incarceratum in tantum angustiave- 
runt quod juri quod in Angliam acquisierat renunciavit. Sed 
non haec tanto proditori sufficit, donee rex Scotorum mag- 
jiam partem terra? suae quae Angliae jacebat contigua ei pro 
deliberatione concessit. Sicque quod gladio acquirere non 
potuit proditione acquisivit. 

Nulli autem mirum existat, nee Scoticis pro seductione re- 
putetur, si id quod praedicti amiserunt cum tempus eis con- 
gruent gladio temptent revocare. Quumque autem quam- 
plurimas alias Anglorum reges postquam sic vocabatur Locria 
perpetraverint seductiones, has tamen tres ex gratia posuimus. 
Quod autem populus Anglorum in hac passione quae proditio 
dicitur reges eorum imitantur, palam, siquis consuetudines quae 
per Angliam observantes inspiciat. Quanto enim in Anglia 
aliquis alacrius in hospitio recipitur, tanto cautius sibi ca- 
vendum est, ne, cum dormierit, sibi guttur incidatur. Adhuc 
autem si gesta quae per Angliam fuerint continue, quaeque 
Anglici in aliis terrris agunt, inspiciantur, hoc idem itaque erit 
mamfestum. Quae quum fere inflnita sunt ad praesens dimit- 
tantur. Quod quidem igitur Anglorum populus prae cunctis 
nationibus seductione incomparabili infectus est, ex dictis 
manifestum. 

Attamen autem dubitabit aliquis utrum Gallorum gentes et 
Scotorum hac proditione sunt infectae. In tantum enim prodi- 
tor unusquisque dictus est in quantum Roucestriae appropin- 
quat. Aut virtus ista solum usque ad detriarum (1) distans 
potens est, species etiam quaecumque non nisi in materia dis- 
' posita introducitur. Haec autem ex aliis manifesta sunt. Exem- 
plum igitur quum nee Gallici nee Scoti proditores existunt, 



23C 



REL1QV1.* KHTIUVM. 



tantum enim a Roucestria distant quod virtus qute Rouce 
proditionem generat ad hos non pervenit. Adhuc autei 
diet is nationibus materia ad sus~eptionera prodi 
posita. Gallici quidem quoniam ex bona provisione <\iaAi 
incepta complent, Scoti vero proditioni non acquiescunt, ta 
quam probitate corporis et mentis audacia omnia potentes 
plere. Anglicis autem accidit contrarium. Quamquama 
in agendis sunt providi, sintque corpore robusti, mente taa 
deficiunt, ut expleant igitur quod inceperant proditione ind 
gent. Palam etiam ex hiis quod Scotis maxime contrariai * 
quapropter et eisdem magis ut noceant insidiantur. Sed n 
untes dicamus quantum Roucestria in Anglia situatur, t 
virtus per totam regionem se potest extendere. C unique e! 
Anglici a prima generatione eorum aliqualiter proc" 
extiterunt, proditione namque partem Britanea? qua 1 
dicitur acquisierunt, si quidem vera sint quae de B 
eorum scripts sunt historian, palamque Anglici maxime* 
dispositi ut proditionem qua; a Roucestria procedit laciU' 
suscipiant. Aut aliter solventes, dice m us quoniam ] 
ditionis causa secundum remotionem et appropinquatior 
localem Roucestrias attenditur, sed potius primorum distant:. 
sic utique in prompt u, causam proditionis in omnibus aliis pi 
ditoribus assignabimus. Palam autem hsoc ex moribus <j 
non solum habitantibus Roucestriam, sed etiam cunctis ins 
Anglicis; mente namque deficientes, blanditiores exist 
blandientes quos decipiunt, qua?que viribus et blanditiis a 
quirere nequeunt, proditione acquirunt. Quicumque aot 
seducunt, aut latenter hoc faciunt, aut adulando. Haec a 
ambo Beductionis genera Anglicis manifeste insunt. 
enim possunt, blandientes seducunt, quos autem tanquam n 
tiam eorum expertos aut vigore prsvalentes blandiri ne^ 
unt, latenter insidiantur. Quicumque igitur proditores t 
secundum morum approximationem ad Anglicos et distanf 
magis vel minus tales existunt. Scotis igitur et Gallici 
cundum mores Anglicis contrariis existentibus, non inest p 
ditio, nisi si quis illorum praster naturam operatur. 

Utrum autem virtus sit aut vitium talia de Anglicis < 
cum eis insunt, perscrutandum. Quod igitur hoc hom 
Datura sua inest, ut omnium hominum nationem, nisi i 
nocuerint, virtutisque opus -sit talia agere ex quibus i 
amicis removentur nocua, palam quod virtuti adjacet hom' 
a fraude Anglicorum praemunire. Nobis autem non potent 
habere colloquium cum omnibus cum quibus Anglici parti 
ent, has Anglorum proprietates conscripsimus quam brei 
quanquam qua? scripta sunt mille actibus Anglorum ( 
tempore nostro acti sunt possent approbari. Et ha;c qui 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUJt. 237 

1 

tc intentione ut dictum est conscripsimus, ut amici nostri cu- 
scunque nationis heec inspicientes, ab Anglorum proditione 
•aemuniantur. De habitantibus igitur Roucestriam cceteris- 
le Anglicis tanta dicta sint. 

Expliciunt proprieties Anglicorwru 

Anglicus angulus est cui nunquam credere fas est; 
Si* tibi dicat ave, sicut ab hoste cave. 

Wrt. 

♦ Al. cum. This various reading is given iu the manuscript. 



AAAM^^^AA^W^^ 



ANGLO-SAXON METRICAL CHARM. 

om MS. Harl. No. 585, fol. 175, r°. a book of medical receipts, written in 

the tenth century. 

"WrS fser-stice, feferfuige, "j seo reade netele, fce Jmrh h©rn 
wyx"8, 3 wegbrade wyll in buteran. 

Hlude wseran hy la hlude, 
8a hy ofer bone hlsew ridan : 
waeran anmode, 
8a hy ofer land ridan. 
Scyld 8u $e nu Jm 
8ysne nr$ ge-nesan mote. 
Ut lytel spere, 

g'f her inne sie ! 
tod under linde, 
under leohtum scylde, 
beer 8a mihtigan wif 
nyra m&gen berseddon, 
T hy gyllende 
garas seen dan. 
Ic him o8erne 
eft wille ssendan 
fleogende flanne 
forane to-geanes. 
Ut lytel spere, 
gif hit inne sy ! 
Saet smi$, sloh seax lytel 
iserna wund swrSe. 
Ut lytel spere, 



FUU.IyUl.E ANTIQUE. 

gif her inne sy ! 
Syx smi5as saltan, 
wselspera worhtan. 
Ut spere, na^s inspere, 
gif her inne sy, 
isernes da? I, 
hsgtessan ge-weorc. 
Hit sceal ge-myltailj 
gif Su lvsere on fell scoten, 
o$3e wa?re on flwsc scolen, 
oftSe wane on blod scoten, 
ofr8e ware on lro" scoten. 
Nasfre ne sy 'Sin lif attesed, 
gif hit WEere esa ge-scot, 
o58e hit WEere ylia ge-scot, 
o&Sc hit wffire ncegtessan ge-scot. 
Nu ic wille Sin helfan < s ' c) : 
bis 8e to bote esa ge-scotes, 
pis Se to bote ylfa ge-scotes, 
$is 8e to bote hsgtcssan ge-scotes, 
ic Sin wille helpan. 
Fled bf on fyrgen ! 
bffifde talwestu, 
helpe Bin drill ten ! 
Nim bonne pa?t seax, ado on wsetan. 



SONG ON THE CORRUPTIONS OF THE ' 

From MS. Hurl. 539G, ful 23, (•. of reign of Hen VI , 

bottoms of the leaves have b«en cut away, so that two lines ■ 
appears lo be written in parts incorrectly. 

Fulfyllyd ys the profefsjy foray 

That Merlyn sayd and many on mo, 
"Wysdam ys wel ny away, 

No man may knowc bys f [rjend fro foo. 
Now gyllorys don gode men gye ; 

Ryjt gos redles all behynde ; 
Truthe ys turnyd to se trechery; 

For now the bysom ledys the blynde. 

Now gloserys full gayly they go ; 

Pore men beperus of this land; 
Series sum tyme hyt was not so. 

But sekyr all this ys synnys sonde. 



TIELIQUIjE ANTIQUE. 23$ 

Now maynterys be made justys, 

And lewde men rewle the la we of kynde: 

Nobull men be holdyn wyse, 

For now the bysom ledys the blynde. 

Truthe is set at lytyl prys ; 

Worschyp fro us longe hath be slawe; 
Robberys now rewle ryjtwysenesse, 

And wynnerys with her sothe sawe. 
Synne sothfastnesse has slawe ; 

Myrth ys now out of mannys mynde ; 
The drede of God ys al to-drawe ; 

For now the bysom ledys the b[l]ynde. 

Now brocage ys made ofFycerys, 
And baratur ys made bayly ; 
Knyjtus be made custemerys, 

,••.••• 

Flatererys be made kyngus perys ; 

Lordys be led all out of kynde ; 
Pore men ben knyjtus ferys ; 

For now the bysom ledys the blynde. 

The constery ys combryd with coveytyse, 

For trouth ys sonkyn undur the grounde ; 
W[ith] offycyal nor den no favour ther ys, 

But if sir Symony shewe them sylver rounde. 
Ther among sp[irit]ualte it ys founde, 

For pete is clent out of ther mynde. 
Lord ! whan thy will is, al ys confounde, 

For now the bysom ledys the blynde. 

He ys lovyd that wele can lye, 

And penys tru men honge ; 
To God I rede that we cry 

That this lyfe last not longe. 
This werld is turnyd up so doun among ; 

For frerys ar confessourys, ageyn a kynde, 
To the chefe ladyes of this londe ; 

Therfor the byson ledys the blynde. 

Lordys the lawe they lere, 



Japerys sy t lordys ful nere ; 

Now hath the devyll all hys devys ; 
Now growyth the gret flour de lyis. 

Wymmonys wyttes ar full of wynd; 
Now ledres ladyn the le ward at her de breis ; < 8ic > 

For caus the bysom ledes^ {the] blynde. 



240 RELIQUIJB ANTIQUE. 

Now prelatis don pardon selle, 

And holy chyrche ys chaffare ; 
Holynes corny th out of helle, 

For absolucions waxyn ware. 
Tabberys gloson eny whare, 

And gode feyth comys all byhynde ; 
Ho shall be levyd the se the wyll spare 1 

For now the bysom ledys the bleynde. 

The grete wyll the sa the spare, 

The comanys love not the grete ; 
Therfor eny man may care, 

Lest the wede growe over the whete. 
Take hede how synne hath chastysyd Frauns, 

Whan he was in hys fayrest kynde, 
How that fal undrys nath myschaunys, 

For caus the bysom ledyth the blynde. 

Therfor eny lord odur avauns, 

And styfly stond yn ych a stoure ; 
Among 30U make no dystaunce, 

But lordys buskys 30U out of boure. 
For to hold up this londus honour, 

With strenkyth our enmys for to bynde, 
That we may wynne the hevynly tour, 

For here the bysom ledys the blynde. 

Explicit. 

On the last page, in the same hand, after the Song. 

M dm that all thyng reknyd betwene Thomas"\ 
Rychard, and Wyllyam Hendyman on Monday / 
aftyr seynt Bartylmeweys day the xxxiiij 3ere >S. iij li xij 1 
of kyng Harry the vj, and the seyd Wyllyam 1 * 
owyth to the forsey Thomas * 

Wrt. 



RELIQUIJE AftTIQUjB. 241 

2EREM0NIAL VERSES FOR PALM-SUNDAY. 

ran MS. Sloane, 2478, fol. 43, r * of the fourteenth century. The last 

lines are nearly illegible. 

CaypJias. 

Allehayle ! and wel y-met, 
Alle ^ee schulleth beo the bet, 

nou icham y-come. 
• Blysful and blythe 3ee mowe boe, 
Suche a prelat her y-soe 

i-tolled to this trome. 

3e boeth wel wery aboute y-go, 
So icham my sulf also, 

ich bysschop Cayface : 
Ich moste her sone synge 
The prophecye of hevene kynge, 

that whyle ich seyde by grace. 

Thy stondeth a stounde and bloweth breth, 
And ^if icham as $ee soeth, 

ichulle bere me bolde, 
And synge 30U sone a lytel song, 
Ha schal boe schort and nothyng long, 

that rather ichaddytold. 

Ich was bysschop of the lawe, 

That 3er that Crist for 3011 was slawe ; 

3e mowe boe glade therfore. 
Hit com to sothe that ich tho seyde, 
Betere hit were that man deyde, 

than al volk were y-lore. 

% Ezpedit, etc. 

Ichot 3e mowe nou3t longe dwelle, 
Thy are $e go ichow wol telle 

of Crist ane litel tale. 
And of 30ur palm 3e bereth an honde, 
Ich schal habbe leve, ichonderstonde, 

of grete men and smale. 

A wel sooth sawe sothlich ys seyd, 
Ech god game ys god y-pleyd, 

lovelyche and lyat ys leve. 
The denes leve and alle manne, 
To rede and synge, ar ich go hanne, 

ich bydde that 30U ne greve. 

[1. II* 2 H 



REL1QLI.E AKTIQOiB. 

decane reverend e, 

In adjutorium tneutn intonde; 

Ad informandum hie astantes 

Michi sitis favoraotes; 

Si placet, bone domine, 

Jube benedicite. 
, hodie cantatur qnidam cantos, Occurrant txirbte com ■> 
el palmis Redemptori obviain, etc. Et dm similiter debemus ei oca 
cum floribus virtntum et palmis victoriarutn. Palma enim vietoriam ii^iiii- 
cat. Uade scribitar, Justus ut palma florebtt, et secundum Gregorian), U 
qualitate palmarum designatur proficiens vita justorum, ad no. quod outfit 
a crutifiio hnbemu*. uude ipse dicit,Si muiuli hoc fnciunt.in arido quid He 
In summa ergo, dam process ion em facimui, Christum ad nos veoient* 
suBcifiimus, Com puerii obviam iuius, si innoeentiain servama*, aUr 
gerimus, si pads et misericordia* o peri boa iodalgemus, palmaa portamu, a 
viiiis et diabolo vietoriam uptinemus, vi rentes florvs et frondes geatu 
si virtalibus piomamui, vest: men ta Btemimus camera mortifiVantes, ri 
carpimus, sanctorum vestigia imitaules. De istis nliqua pro luicis iulct^n 
pertractare, et sic in brevi eipediam tog. 

Wolcome boe jee that siondeth aboutc. 

That habbeth y-siwed this grete route, 
sone ychulle jou synge. 

3ou alle to-day ic mot y-mete, 

Ichabbe leve of the grete 
wysdom forto wrynge. 

A bysschop ich was in Cristes tytne, 

Tho Gywys vawe wolde dobyme, 
what ic ham evere radde. 

Judas to ous Jhesus solde, 

Tho Annas and ice panes tolde, 
our byjete was badde. 

1 Pontiles tiiiiii illius qui consilium dedcrat Juiia'ifl. 

Wharfore ich and Annas 
To-fonge Jhesus of Judas, 

vor thrytty panes to paye. 
"We were wel faste to helle y-wronge, 
Vor hym that for jou was y-stonge, 

in rode a Godefridaye. 
U Tamen eipedit unura homiuem mori. 
That Latyn that ic lascht out nou ryjt. 
To joure Jhesus hit was y-dyjt, 

and is thus moche to telle : 
Hit. is botere that oman deye 
Than al folk evcre boe in eye, 

in (he pyiie of helle. 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 243 

The prophetie that ich seyde thar, 
Ich hit seyde tho os astar, 

ich nuste what ich mende. 
Ich wende falslyche jangli tho, 
Of me that wy t naddych no, 

bote as Jhesu sende. 

Man, at fulk^t, as chabbeyrad, 
Thy saule ys Godes hous y-mad, 

and tar ys wassche al clene. 
Ac after fulloi^t thoruj fulthe of synne, 
Sone is mad wel hory wythinne, 

alday hit is y-sene. 

Man, thou hast throe wel grete fon, 
That fondeth evere hou mo don 

to foule Godes hous ; 
That is thi flechs wyth lecherye, 
The world wyth coveytise and envye, 

ther to hi buth wel vous. 

The thrydde fo is the devel of helle, 
That fondeth in thi saule dwelle, 

and holde Cryst tharoute ; 
Wyth prude and wreche he wole com yn, 
Thi of hym and hys engyn 

3ee scholde habbe doute. 

Laste ;our soule boe fuld ajee, . 
Wyth thoes throe foon syker $e boe 

$ee mote boe wel chybbe ; 
To floe ham and the sunnes sevene, 
Wylneth schryft, 3yf ae wol hevene, 

good lyf je mote lybbe. 

Wyth sorwthe of herte and schryft of mouthe, 
Doth deedbote this tyme nouth, 

3yf je wolle God awynne; 
And loketh hys hous boe wel clene, 
That non hore tharyn boe sene, 

3yf he schal come thar ynne. 

And hwanne je habbeth overcome thanne voend, 
Thanne y-meteth Cryst jour froend, 

wyth palm and bowes grene ; 
That ys a tokne that alle and some 
Habbeth the develes al overcome, 

ham to sorwe and teene. 



RELICiUI.fi ANTIQU.fi. 

To Jerusalem, as to-day, 

Jhesus rood hys ryjte way, 

up ane slowe asse ; 
Vale lhar were that on hym lyfde, 
That lovede hym and faste hym sywede, 

more men and lasse. 
Chyldren of Hebreya hym y-mette, 
Meklyche wyth song hy hym grette, 

and knooled to har kynge ; 
Wyth hare clothes hy spraddys way, 
In gret worschepe of hym to day, 

and blessed hym syngynge. 
Hy bere bowes of olyf troe. 
And floures the vayriste hy myjte y-soe, 

wy mury song and game; 
Anon as hy myjte hym y-soe, 
Hy seydc blessed mot ha boe, 

that cometh in Godes name. 

f Benedictua qui venit in nomine Domini, etc. 

Cryst com as mocklyche as a lorn, 
To habbe for ;ou dethes dom, 

to dethe a wolde hym pulte. 
3yf he ne deyde, ne blod ne bledde, 
Evere yn helle je hadde ba wedde, 

for Adames gulfe. 
Nou jee that hereth to-day jour palm, 
Wei a^t.e ;c qucmc such a qualm, 

to Crist jour'herte al jyve ; 
As dude the chyldren of tholde lawe, 
3yf je hym lovede, je scholde wel vawe 

boe by tyme schryve. 
Lewede, that bereth palm an honde. 
That nuteth. what palm ys tonderstonde, 

anon ichulle jou telle; 
Hit is a tokne that alle and some 
That buth y-schryve, habbe th overcome 

alle the develes of helle. 
3yf eny habbeth braunches y-brojt, 
And buth un-schryve, har bost nys nojt 

ajee the fend to fyjte ; 
Hy maketh ham holy as y were, 
Vort hy boe schryve hy shulletb boo skere 

of loem of he vent! Iyjt.e, 






REL1QU1A. ANTIQUE. 

Vous soliez lesser, pur Dieu amour, 

Propre voluntee e terrien honour ; 

Hore vous prie, pur mes amours, 

Aforcez vous de quere honours, 

Vus ke avez assez dount. 

Fetes sicura les riches fount. 

Estourjoun, laumpre, a vostre huz 

De veBsele d'argent, vus priez, 

E dc palfreis dreit quarrez, 

Preez e pasturs encloeez, 

E commune bestis hors tenez. 

La vie seynt Benet jeo mesprise ; 

II n'ount ke fere de meen aprise, 

Ne seynt Domynick, ne seynt Franceis, 

Ne volient estre de souz mes leys. 

Mes vous ke estis lur successours, 

Jeo vous merci de touz honours. 

Ceus ke ne unt cure de teres, 

II me pleisent par autre afferes, 

Les uns par inobedience, 

Les autres par lur science, 

Les uns par lur chanter 

Les autres par forment jurer." 

" Sire," fount il, " mout volunteres 

Nous volum estre a vous chers," 

Des veisins du payes unt sa lettre 
Ke checun se deit entremettre 
De grever autre a tort e a dreit. 
II unt remaunde a grant espleyt, 
" E nous le froum mout volnters, 
Par taunt serroum tenuz a feers, 
E tut le pays nous honura 
Pur nos maus, e dotera." 
" Ha !" dit Orguyl, " cum ceo been dit, 
Vous estes espires de moun espirit, 
Hauntest hore ceo ben dedut, 
Aveyenne apres ke avenir put !" 
La letter est venu a matrones, 
Ke vers ly seyent leles e bones; 
" Aforcez," dit-il, " de estriver, 
Pur vostre estal amouster." 
" Sire," fount ele, " ceo est resun, 
Ke femme honoure soun baroun. 
Ataunt de tere ad le meen, 
Cum dist ma veysine ke ad le seen. 
Pur quey dounk me dey retrere ? 



346 BELlQVl.t AMKHTi. 

Ut Merlinus ait, post reges victoriosos. 

Regis more carens regla sceptra feret. 
Serviet Angligeno regi per tempora quredam 
Proth dolor ! Albania i'raude subacta sua. 
Quos respirabit post 1'udus regis avari 

Versibus antiquis prisca Sibilla canit . 
Rex borealis enim, numerosa classe potitus, 

Aflliget Scotos ense, furore, fame; 
Extera gens tandem Scolorum fraude peribit, 

In bello princcps Noricus ille cadet. 
Gallia quem gignet, qui gazis regna replebit, 
O dolor ! o gemitus ! primus ab ense cadel. 
Candidus Albanus, patriotis causa ruinse, 

Traditions sua Scotia regna premet. 
Posteritas Bruli Albanis assoc.iata 

Anglia regna premet morte, labore, fame; 
Quem Britonum fundet Albani juncta juvpntus, 

Sanguine Saxonico tincla. rubebit humus ; 
Flumina manabunt hostili tincta cruore, 

Perfida gens omni lite subacta met, 
Regnabunt Britoncs Albani gentis amici ; 

Antiquum nomen insula tota feret, 
Ut profert Aquiia veteri de tune Iocuta, 

Cum Scotis Britones regna paterna regent. 
Regnabunt pariter in prosperitate quicta 
Hostibus expulsis Judicis usque diem. 
Historic veteris Gildas luculentus orator 

Qua; retuiit, parvo carmine plum notans. 
Mens, cor, cur capiunt lex Christi vera jocund), 
Prima cunctorum tibi dat formam futurorum; 
Draco draconem rubeus album superabit; 
Anglorum nomen toilet, rubei renovabit. 

Solis in occasu loo]>ardi viscera frigent, 

Verticis et cerebrum Cambria toilet ei ; 
Quo duce sublato Tiinovantia regna peribunt ; 

Saxoniie soboli lilia frena dabunt. 
Universis Germanici leopardi tincta veneno 

Lilia vincendi frangere praislo cadet. 
Eufrates et Tigris, Forth, Thamesis, Ronaque, Nil 

Per rnundi metas lilia subtus erunt. 

foi. iao. v. 
Incipit pra:fatio in Histona . . Britannorum rxtracla a 
qui dicitur Policronicon. 



Prologus AllVidi <*" 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJE. 347 

fol. 134, v«. 

Parce, domine, animae fratris Robert! de Popultoun, qui me 
compilavit. 

Cronica Galfridi Monumetensis. Incipit Historia Britonum. 

Explicit cronica Galfridi Monumetensis in Hystoriam Brito- 
num. Sequitur continuatio regum Saxonum secundum cronicas 
Alfridi Beverlacensis et Henrici Huntingdonensis. Ora pro 
Popiltoun, qui me compilavit Eboraci. 

Explicit historia magistri Alfridi thesaurarii Beverlacensis, 
incipiens ad Brutum et Aniens in Henricum 4 tum , annorum 
duorum milium ducentorum. Sequitur continuatio Hystoriae 
secundum cronicam Ranulphi monachi Cestrensis in suo 
Policronicon usque ad Edwardi tertii regis tempora. Ora pro 
fratre Roberto de Populton. 

Explicit, (anno 1326.) 

Wrt. 



^WWWWlnMW^M«wyMAAMAAM^ 



A SONG AGAINST THE FRIARS. 

MS. Trin. Coll. Cambridge, O. t. 40, of the fifteenth century. 

Freeres, freeres, wo je be ! ministri malarum, 

For many a mannes soule bringe $e adpcenas infernorum* 

Whan seyntes felle fryst from hevene, quoprius habit abant, 

In erthe leyfFt the synnus .vii. etfratres communicabunt(?J. 

Falnes was the ffryst fflaure qwtefratres pertulerunt, 

For falnes and ffals derei multi perierunt. 

Freeres $e can weyl lye adfalandum gentem, 

And weyl can blere a mannus ye pecunias habentem. 

Yf thei may no more geytte,/ruges petunt isti, 

For falnes walde thei not lette, qui non sunt de grege Christi. 

Lat a freer of sum ordur tecum pernoc tare, 

Odur thi wyfF or thi doughtour nic vult violate, 

Or thi sun he weylprefur, sicutfurlamfortis; 

God gyfFe syche a freer peyne %n infemiportis! 

Thei weyl assey He boyth Jacke and Gylle, licet sint prcedones ; 

And parte off pennans take hem tylle, qui sunt latrones. 

Ther may no lorde of this cuntr6 sic ceaificare, 

As may thes freeres, where thei be, qui vadunt mendicare. 

Mony-makers I trow thei be, regis perditores, 

Thenore yll mowyth thei thee, falsi deceptores. 

Fader fyrst in trinite, filius atque jlamen. 

Omnes dicant Amen. 

Wrt. 



SIR PRIDE THE EMPEROR. 

From MS. Hail. No. SOD, fol. S, r=. written early in the fourteentb 

Sire Orguylle ly emperour 
Enveyt aes leltris par cy entour. 

Escotez, seyngnours, un tretiz 

De moun sir Orguyl ly postifs, 

Ky emperour est corounee, 

E teent ly mound de souz pee. 

Ja n'est rue ne estreit sente 

Hou moun sir Orguyl n'eyt tere ou rente. 

E par ces lettres ad maundee 

A haut e bas, e comaunde 

Ke touz seyent a ly pliaunz, 

De par fere ses comaunz. 

Le court de Rome ad resceu, 

en quele est content! : 
Assignent a ly sus sentence, 
E ky ly facent obedience, 
E unt remaunde, " Saver voloums 
Ky vous estes ke fetis somouns 
A nus, ke sumes cheveteyns 
De touz ke sount pres hou Ioynteyns." 
" Joe su," fet-il, " emperour, 
Orguyl appelle de meyntjour; 
A ky vous avez avant eest bur 
Fet courleysee e grant honour, 
Dount jeo suy un poy esmu 
Ke hore demaundez ke joe su." 
II unt remaunde par messager, 
" Monstrez," foftnt-il, " vostre poer. 
Par queu resun nus devez guyer ; 
E vous nus verrez assez plyer." 
" Moun pouer," dit U, " est si grant, 
Ke nul home ke seyt en tere ad taunt. 
Plus ay moustre de mestrie 
Ke nus homme ke seyt en vie. 
Jeo fiz jadis Lucifer 
Sayller du ceel dekes en enter. 
Jeo fiz Adam fere eschaunges, 
Unkes homme si estraunges. 
Jeo feyz Caym soun pccche defeudre! 
Le fiz Jacob lur frerc veiidre; 



reliquijB antique. 249 

Vif en tere Datan decendre ; 

E Absalon par chewus pendre. 

Jeo suy ke abesay Roboam, 

E enhauzay Jeroboam. 

Jeo fiz David noumbrer sa gent, 

E Saul inobediente. 

De Holeferne jeo tolly sa teste ; 

E de un rey jeo fesei un best. 

Ne est ?eo merveyl, vous est avis, 

Teu pouer aver en pays V 9 

" Oyl," fount-il, " $eo est auncienrie ; 

Moustrez nous novele mestrie." 

" Novele mestrie vous purray dire, 

Plus ke tens ne put suffrire. 

Jeo fu gleaus a la bataylle, 

E a Evesham saunz fayille, 

E a Northamtoun, e a vVyncestre ; 

E a Cestrefeud, e a Gloucestre ; 

Partut estey-jeo sire e mestre. 

Me hore ne juhe en chevestre, 

Kaunt tuz pays e regnez 

A ma devise sunt guyez. 

De Escoce, de Gales, e de Engletere 

Si ay-jeo fet ja un tere, 

E ma baner no ma launce 

Si est entree la tere de Fraunce. 

En Normandye ne en Burgonye 

Nul si hardi ke se assoynne." 

La court de Rome kant oy feo dire, 

Ke moun Sir Orguyl est tenu sire, 

Ly maundent lettres, de souz lur seuz, 

Ke il ly serrount feus e leuz 

A teu covenaunt ke il les truve 

Argent touz jours nuve e nuve ; 

Hors pris pollars e cokedeyns, 

Ke ja ne vendrount en nos meyns. 

" Assez averez, e plus ke assez," 

Dit Temperour, " si vous me amez." 

" Certis," fount-il, " e nus le froum; 

Ceo wut la nobeleye ke apent a Roum." 

" E jeo vous merci," dit l'emperour, 

" Ke vus me volez fere honour." 

Un autre lettre ad pus maunde 
A courz de rey, e comaunde 
Ke il se teyngnent en reddour 
Encountre pitee, pur sue amour, 
i. 2 1 



. ' m 



250 RELIQUl.fi ANTIQUjE. 

E ke il ne suffrunt le pbverayl 
Espleyter busoyngne pur travayl; 
Mes ceus ke unt a doner 
Le taunt toust pusent espleyter. 
" Certis," fount-il, " mout volunters 
Par taunt nus vendrunt plus deneres." 

Un autre lettre a joustises 
Pus ad maunde pur ses mises, 
Ke force ne fasent de male prises, 
Ne de sermenz de grant assises. 
Si ad maunde le vescounte, 
De torte e force ne hey t ja hounte ; 
Mes ke il prengne de tote parz, 
E de sa coscience ne seit escars ; 
E ke il die a ses clers 
Ke a sa volunte seyent aheers ; 
Pur eus enrichir e lur seyngnur 
Au pays facent grant reddour. 
Si ad comaund6 les baiUifs, 
E ke il escorchent le genz vifs 
Taunt cum dure lur mestrie, 
E force ne facent ky lur maudie. 
II unt respoundu a sir Orguyl, 
" Pur vostir amour nous averoum le huyl, 
En checun vile de pays 
Pur un diner nous leveroum dys." 
" Jeo vous merci," fet Temperour, 
" Mes countregardens a chief de tour." 

Pus ad maunde a prelaz 
Une lettre pur soun solaz, 
Ceo que pernent de povre genz, 
Ke il le donnent a riche genz. 
" Jeo wuyl," dit-il, " ke la mer 
Seit ennoyte par la river, 
E ke le bacun seyt oynt de pou 
De la grece de kayllou." 

Pus ad maunde les bachilers, 
Ke wount a places volunteres, 
Ke facent lever beu deneres 
De povre paysaunz e charueeres. 
" Ceo me est," dit-il, " mout trecher, 
Ke vous augez tourner ; 
E si vous seez been batuz, 
Jeo vous prie ne seez esmuz. 
Kar jeo vous oyndray du vent de vole, 
E bee[n] vous garderay par lange vole." 



RELIQUIAE ANTKfcUiE, 25 L 

" Certis, sire, e nous le frown : 
Resun wut ke si le fazoum. 
Primes waster nos beens demeyne, 
E pus mestre nos genz en payne, 
Par toutes e par tayllages, 
Pur aquiter hors nos gages." 

A vavasours ad pus maunde, 
Ke tenent houstel e meynne. 
" Ceo est," dit-il, " mon desir, 
Ke daungerez seez a servir ; 
Le queel vos genz communement 
Facent been hou malement, 
Jeo vous prie, esparniez . 
Ke largement ne seyent blamez. 
E par amours vus, servanz, 
A seyngnurs seez contrariaunz ; 
Pur un mot responez diz, 
Par taunt serrez mes amys." 

Sa lettre est venu as esquiers, 
De contrefere les chevalers, 
Ke reen y eyt diversetee 
Fors en pellure e lorreyn dorree. 
II unt remande courteysement, 
" E nus le froum certeynment, 
Par gentif saunk dount sumus estret, 
Ataunt avaunt cum chevaler est." 

A genti femmes, ke mout ad cheer, 
Un lettre ad fet maunder, 
Pur fere sun houstel atyrer 
En lur chiefs, ke lusent cler ; 
E comaund6 estreitement 
Ke sa chaubre nettement 
De lounge traynne seyt baalee, 
Ja taunt le drap ne eyt coustee. 
" Sire," fount-ele, " mout nous plet, 
Ke vostre comaunde seyt parfet. 
Nous averoum assez le dount, 
Nos bele granges Paquiterount !" 
" Assez pernez," dyt Orguyl; 
" Mes que facez 9eo ke wuyl !" 
il E nous le feroum, par seynt Richard! 
Ja taunt ne grouce la papelard." 

Pus ad maunde ses messagers 
A les chapeleyns seculers, 
De countrefere les esquiers ; 
Sy lur dit en teu maners ; 



" Gardez," fel-il, " la chevelure. 

E mettez la coyf pardesure ; 

Fetez tayllcr la vesture 

A fur de esquiers a mesure. 

Vos matins dites roundement. 

La messe chauntez brevement. 

A diner venez prestement ; 

A tables juhez jolivement. 

Ne esparnes mil serement, 

Ne ja ne chargez dit de gent. 

A boys alez a la chace ; 

Si vous avez de chanter grace, 

Ne lessez pas de karoler 

En coumpanye de esquier. 

Si jelouz fusez de vostre estat, 

Vos serrez tenu un papelard. 

Dount jeo vous pri, par amours, 

Ke vous suez les courteours, 

Ceus sunt la gent de ceste vye, 

Ke plus me fount de courteysie. 

Usez le secle taunt cum dure, 

De vosprelaz ne tenez cure." 

" Sire," fount-il, " e nus le froum, 
Pur nos prelaz been le poum. 

Reen ne aparceyvent fors argent, 
Par taunt nous suffrent a talent." 
" Ceo say-jeo bien," fet 1'emperour: 
" Pur ceo lur donay teu myrour, 
Ke la se pussunt myrier ades, 
E suffrer mes serchaunz vivre en pes." 

Pus ad maunde un esquier 
A religiouns, pur espier 
Si il se puse en eus affyer, 
Hou il les deyt par mal defier. 
II untremaunde meyntenant, 
" Nus veum been ke petit e graunt 
Counte e baroun e serchaunt, 
Checun vous fet honour sy grant, 
Ke nous ke sumes genz entendaunz 
Ne dewoum pas estre u touz descordaunz. 
Eynz voloums estre a vous pliaunz 
De parfere vos comaunz." 
" Mout vus merci," fet 1'emperour ; 
Mes hore vous coveent an primour 
Vostre manere un poy chaunger, 
Kejadis solicz trop huscr. 



RELIQULS ANTIQUJS. 253 

Vous soliez lesser, pur Dieu amour, 

Propre volunt^e e terrien honour ; 

Hore vous prie, pur mes amours, 

Aforcez vous de quere honours, 

Vus ke avez assez dount, 

Fetes sicum les riches fount. 

Estourjoun, laumpr6, a vostre huz 

De vessele d'argent, vus priez, 

E de palfreis dreit quarrez, 

Preez e pasturs encloeez, 

E commune bestis hors tenez. 

La vie seynt Benet jeo mesprise ; 

II n'ount ke fere de meen aprise, 

Ne seynt Domynick, ne seynt Franceis, 

Ne volient estre de souz mes leys. 

Mes vous ke estis lur successours, 

Jeo vous merci de touz honours. 

Ceus ke ne unt cure de teres, 

II me pleisent par autre afferes, 

Les uns par inobedience, 

Les autres par lur science, 

Les uns par lur chanter 

Les autres par forment jurer." 

" Sire," fount il, " mout volunteres 

Nous volum estre a vous chers." 

Des veisins du payes unt sa lettre 
Ke checun se deit entremettre 
De grever autre a tort e a dreit. 
II unt remaunde a grant espleyt, 
" E nous le froum mout voluters, 
Par taunt serroum tenuz a feers, 
E tut le pays nous honura 
Pur nos maus, e dotera." 
" Ha !" dit Orguyl, " cum $eo been dit, 
Vous estes espires de moun espirit. 
Hauntez hore ?eo ben dedut, 
Aveyenne apr&s ke avenir put !" 

La letter est venu a matrones, 
Ke vers ly seyent leles e bones ; 
" Aforcez," dit-il, " de estriver, 
Pur vostre estal amouster." 
" Sire," fount ele, " 9eo est resun, 
Ke femme honoure soun baroun. 
Ataunt de tere ad le meen, 
Cum dist ma veysine ke ad le seen. 
Pur quey dounk me dey retrere 1 



REIIQU1* ANTIQUE, 

Pardcrere it; dey-jeo fere 7" 

" Nanal ! veyr," ceo dist Orguyl, 

' ' En nul manere ne le wuyl. 

En taunt me grevent les genti femes : 

Tut portent ele au chief les gemmes : 

Checun boutc autre avaunt, 

Par tut me servent fors en taunt ; 

En tut le facent par courteysie, 

En lur queers monueen m'afie." 

Les garzouns de court ad maunde. 
Si il ne facent sovent medio 
Par folye e baudesce, 
Ke il les mettra en destresce. 
" Jeo wuyl," dit-il, " en tote fins, 
Ke vous seez yer mal cnclyns, 
Par sovent tencer e medire, 
Hore ly cumpanyoun, hore ly sire. 
E sy vous eez de reen mespris, 
E vos mestres vus unt repris, 
Jeo vus pry, mes cheer fiz, 
Ke autrefcz facez piz. 
E poy chargez lur daunger, 
Taunt cum poez seyngnur chaunger. 
Jeo ay greynnur deynte de un garzoun, 
Ke jeo ne eye de un baroun. 
Kar le baroun ad vers mey resoun, 
E ly garzoun ne ad nul enchesoun. 
Ke poy moy dit e mout me fet, 
Par moy ne avera chaud ne freyt." 

Hore ad sire Orguyl assemble 
Soun host g sa meynne, 
E va racbaunt tere e meer 
Scs mestries pur moustTer. 
De base chose seet fere haut, 
De graunt plentee grant defaut ; 
Ke meyns waut fet hauteyns, 
Ke plus vaut fet valet meyns ; 
Tourne seingnur en servage, 
E met ly serf en seynurage. 
Pur les merveylles ke seez fere, 
A ly se plie tut la tere. 
Mes une chose vus eert apeert, 
Ke fou se tendra ke meuz le seerl. 

Am en . 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 255 

POLITICAL VERSES. 

From the Cottonian Rolls. II. 23. 

Verses addressed to Hen. VI. on his friendship for the 

Duke of Suffolk. 

For feer or for favour of ony fals man 
Loose not the love of alle the commynalt6 ; 
Beware and sey by Seint Julian, 
Duke, jwge, baron, archebisshop, and he be, 

he woll repent it within this monthes thre 

Let folke accused excuse theymselfF and they can, 

Reseyve no good, let soche bribry be; 

Support not theym this wo bygan, 

And let theym suche clothis as they span, 

and take from theym ther wages and ther fee, 
by God and seint Anne. 

Som must go hens, hit may non other weys be, 

And els is lost all this lond and we ; 

Hong up suche men to our soverayn lord 

That ever counseld hym with fals men to be acord. 

Anno 1450. 

HUH 



SONG ON THE VIRGIN. 

' rom MS. Cotton. Calig. A. ii. fol. 89, r<>. on vellum, of the fifteenth 

century. 

Upon a lady my love ys lente, 

Withowten change of any chere, 
That ys lovely and contynent. 

And most at my desyre. 

Thys lady ys yn my herte pyghte, 

Her to love y have gret haste, 
With all my power and my myjthe, 

To her y make myne herte stedfast. 

Therfor wylle'y non other spowse, 

Ner none other loves for to take ; 
But only to her y make my vowe, 

And other to forsake. 



-■ •-«•• -'-«■•**■" ■ — "...J ■ '■ ^^^^^K- "■■<* "J • 



256 REUQUIJE ANTIQUJE. 

Thys lady ys gentylle and meke, 
Moder she ys and welle of alle, 

She ys never for to seke, 
Nother to grete ner to smalle. 

Redy she ys nyghe and day 

To man and wommon and chylde yn fere, 
3yf that they wylle aw$t to her. say, 

Our prayeres mekely for to here* 

To serve this lady we alle be bownde, 
Bothe ny3th and day, yn every place ; 

Where ever we be yn felde or towne, 
Or elles yn any other place. 

Pray we to this lady bry3the, 
In the worshyp of the trinite, 

To brynge us alle to heven lyjthe ; 
Amen ! say we for charyte. 

mm. 



ALLITERATIVE SCRAPS. 

From MS. Harl. No. 913, fol. 15, v<>. of the beginning of the fourteenth 

century. 

Folie fet qe en force s'afie, 

fortune fet force failir : 
Fiaux funt fort folie 

fere en favelons flatire. 
Fere force fest fiaux fuir, 

faux fiers fount feble fameler : 
Fausyne fest feble fremir, 

feie ferme fra fausyn fundre. 

Proverbia Comitis Desmonice. 

Soule su, simple, e saunz solas, 

seignury me somount sojorner ; 
Si suppris sei de moun solas, 

sages se deit soul solacer. 
Soule ne solai sojorner, 

ne solein estre de petit solas. 
Sovereyn se est de se solacer, 

qe se sent soule e saunz solas. 






^4 ~^ 

wvf • <r RELIQUI.* ANTIQUE. 257 

POEMS OF MATTH^EUS YINDOC1NENSIS. 

om a Manuscript in the Imperial Library at Vienna, kindly communicated 
to ma by professor Dr. Endlicher of Vienna. 

Codex Cremitanensis, chartaceus, saec XV**- 
Math. Vindocinensis commendatio papa. 

Orbis ad exemplum papae procedit, honestas 

Scintillat, ratio militat, ordo viget. 
Religione sacer est, voce modestus, honesti 

Cultor, consilio providus, orbis apex ; 
Quo duce provehitur ratio, sedet ira tepescens 

In pacem, pietas ofEciosa viget. 
Non sapit humanum sua conversation culpam 

Dedignans hominis, concipiensque Deum. 
Condolet afflicto, misero miseretur, anhelat 

Ad leges, reprimit crimina, jura fovet. 
Papa docenda docet; prohibet prohibenda, reatus 

(Jastigat, sceptrum spirituale tenet. 
Hie animas ligat, et solvit, solvendo ligando 

Ccelestis partes opilionis agit. 
Nos proles, nos ejus oves, nos membra, tuetur 

Membra caput, genitor pignora, pastor oves. 
Disputat in papa virtutum concio, virtus 

Virtutis certat anticipare locum ; 
Pro parte virtutum conflictus litigat, instat, 

Quodque sacri pectus primitiare viri. 
Justitia prior esse studet, moderantia certat, 

Blanda sibi pietas appropriare patrem. 
Quinta tribus prior esse studet, sapientia certat ; 

Pro patre sit dos, cum dote sorore soror. 
Jura rigent, mulcet pietas, moderantia placat, 

Sub perpendiculo singula sensus agit. 
Quatuor his constat quadratus papa, propinat 

Quadratura statum, perpetuatque fidem. 
Hac quadratura fretus non nugat in usum 

Criminis, et nescit nescius esse Dei. 
I*apa regit reges, dominos dominatur, acerbis 

Principibus stabili jure jubere jubet. 
I*rovenit humanum pretium, fragilesque relegans 

Affectus, certat evacuare virum. 
Trans hominum gressus extendit ab hospite vita, 

Ad ecelum patriam prsemeditatur iter. 

• XI. 2 K 



RELlHUt.E ANTIQUE. 

Commutare studet fixis fluitantia, certis 

Vana, polo terras, hospitiumque domo. 
Mens sacra vas aigrum fastidit, carcere carnis 

Necticonqueritur spirituals honor. 
Mens sitit aitemam sedcm, pastorque frequentat 

Hospilium terra corpore, mente polum. 
Non sacra sacrilege denigrant pectora morsu 

Crimina, nee pretium depretiare licet. 
Est bonus, est melior, est optimus, et bonitatem, 

Si liceat, quarto quaint habere gradu. 

Commendatio militis. (1. Ccesarts.) 
Fulgurat in bello conslantia Cresaris, obstat 

Oppositis, frangit fortia, sa?va domat. 
Ejus in afflictos pietas tepet, hostibus hostem 

Se probat, et mitis raitibus esse studet. 
Praradiat virtute duces, exemplar equcislris 

Officii pretio vernat, honore pra?it. 
In vetitum preecedit iter, suspirat ad usum 

Militis, ad requiem torpet, ad arma voiat; 
Bella sitit, gladium lateri confecderat, ejus 

Virtus defectus nescia, terga fugs. 
In gladium sperare juvat, jus judice ferro 

Metitur, gladio preside carpit iter. 
Caisaris ad nutus nut'at fortuna biformis ; 

Casu»ceu visus prosperitatis babet. 
Cassar in adversis smgit, nee jungit honorera 

Vultus iratse prosperitatis hiems, 
Ssevapremit, miseros fovet, et libamine juns 

Corapensat pacis, nequitisque vices. 
Jura pio sociat moderanlia, de pietatis 

Blanditiis ferrum judiciale tepet. 
Militat ergo modus, pietas ne jure supinet 

Ne vita pueri diffiteatur opus. 
Imperii gravitas men tern non pauperat, immo 

Ad partes virtus particulata volat. 
Dotibus ingenii vernal, non exulal artes, 

Non studium regimen imperiale fugaf. 
Ambitiosa sitis fidei non derogat, immo 

In regnante sapit deliciosa fides. 
CtEsar ab effectu nomen tenet, omnia cedens, 

Nominis exponens significata manus. 
Cui requies, requie privari, deessc labori, 

Cui labor est, cujus passio, nulla pati. 
Cui timor absenti vincit, cui lama laborat, 

Ad turnulum cujus prselia nomen aj ' 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 259 

Caesaris adventus pro Caesare disputat, umbra 

Nominis armati militat, arma gerit. 
Strenuus, indomitus, pugnax, premit, asserit, urget . 

Hostes, bella, reos, ense, rigore, metu. 
Audax, intrepidus, probus, inbuit, ampliat, inplet 

Arma, decus, vultum, sanguine, marte, minis. 
Concipit, instaurat, ponit, vigil, inpiger, instans, 

Spe, dubiis, gladio, praelia, certa, reos. 
Virtus, forma, fides, replet, adjuvat, instruit actus, 

Virtutem, mentem, robore, laude, statu. 
Hoc pretio servivit ei sub jure tribuni 

Roma, suo majus ausa videre caput. 

Commendalio militis. 

Purpurat eloquium, sensus festivat Ulixen, 

Intitulat morum gratia, fama beat. 
Linguae deliciis exuberat acer Ulixes, 

Eloquio, sensu providus, arte potens. 
Ne languescat honor mentis, facundia vernans 

Ampliat, et reficit quod minus esse potest. 
Ne sit lingua potens sensu viduata, maritat 

Se linguae sensus interioris honor; 
Foederat ingenium studio, cultusque maritus 

Seminis in messem fructificare stud^t. 
Concipit ingenium sensu dictante, magistra 

Discernit ratio, lingua ministra sonat. 
Seminat ingenium, studium colit, asserit usus, 

Elimat ratio, consiliumque fovet. 
Sensus praecursor, ratioque jpraeambula, linguam 

Haeredem faciunt dogmatis esse sui. 
Non cellae capitis in Ulixe vacant, epitetum 

Officiate tenent, prima, secunda, sequens. 
Prima videt, media discernit, tertia servat; 

Prima capit, media judicat, ima ligat. 
Prima serit, media recolit, metit ultima, tandem 

Prima, secunda capit, tertia claudit iter. 
Prima ministrat opus reliquis, sic hostia prima, 

Hospitumque media, posteriorque domus. 
Prima, secunda, sequens, includit, judicat, arcet 

Ob via, visa, fiigam, peste, sapore, sera. 
Stat medio rationis apex, et utrinque salutat 

Hostia sincipitis, occipitisque seram. 
Naturam virtute praeit, fidusque magister 

Intimus est hominis interioris homo. 
Moribus egreditur hominem, praeponderat aegre 

Naturae sensus, subvenientis honor. 



I RELIQVI.E AKTIQU*. 

Ponderal ancipites casus sapientia, justum 

Seu reprobum, trutina judice pen del opus. 
Non nisi consulto liberamine juris in actus 

Prodit, consulto mentis arnica in anus. 
Contrariis vicibus confert contraria, dictis 

Respondere suis consona facta facit. 
Propositum facto vicino mancipat, ori 

Concolor, est mentis expositiva manus. 
Non aetas animi virtutem pauperat, immo 

Cortice de tenero spiral adultus odor. 
^Etatem virtute domat, sua cana juventus 

Consilio redolet interiore senem. 
Vota juventutis virtute supervenit a?vi 

Jura supergreditur mentis honore sui. 
Mentis canities aevi castigat habenas, 

Mensque stupet teneros anticipare dies. 
Non animi florem fastus deflorat, honoris 

Tanti delicias non p remit ulla lues. 
Non fortuna premit fortem, sentitque biformk 

Unanimem, rigidum mota, caduca gravem. 
Non valet Anliphates, seu Circes, sive Caribdis 

Mentis Ulixa?a; debilitare fidem. 
Vincit, alit, cumulat, fortis, consultus, honestus, 

Aspera, jura, fidem, vi, ratione, statu. 
Prudens, facundus, largus, beat, ornat, honorat, 

Pectora, verba, mniium, mente, decore, datis. 
Tullius eloquio, confiictu Caesar, Adrastus 

Consiliis, Nestor meute, rigore Cato. 
Vituperium stulti. 
Scurra vagus, parasitus edax, abjectio plebis, 

Est Davus return dedecus, a?gra lues ; 
Fornentum sceleris, mundi sentina, ruina 

Justitise, legum lscsio, fraude potens ; 
Semen nequitiae, veri jejunus, abundans 

Nugis, deformis corpore, mente nocens ; 
Forma Tersites, ad fraudes Argus, ad aequum 

Tiresias, Verres crimine, fraude Symon. 
Militat ad vitium, virtutis nescius, hostis 

Natura;, justum dampnat, honestum premit. 
Noxius ingenium nocuos dispensat in usus, 

Se toturo scoleris vendicat esse domum. 
Spirat ad illicitum, confusio pacis, amoris 



Scisma, malis pejor, pessimus e 



studet. 



Effluit hue illuc, rimarum plenus, abundans 
Nugis, justa premit facta, tacenda refert. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 261 

Vas sceleris, puteus vitiorum, plenus aceto, 

Nequitiae nescit nescius esse suae. 
Mens inbuta malis, nescit nescire reatum, 

Peccandique potest esse magistra manus. 
Est grave consuetis vitiis desuescere, vergit 

Noxius ad solitee noxietatis iter. 
Pullulat in speciem naturae, concolor usus 

Et quasi nature filius esse potest. 
Non nequit esse nocens Davus, natusque nocere 

Dum nequit esse nocens degener esse putat. 
Est scelus innatum Davo, fraus omnis in unum 

Confluit, in proprium vendicat omne scelus. 
Qui fidei, qui juris inops, qui fraude laborat, 

Qui volat in vetitum, qui pietatis eget. 
Cujus honor, quod honore caret, cujus tenor esse 

Absque tenore fides, non habuisse fidem. 
Cui scelus est vitare scelus, cui crimen egere 

Crimine, cui fraudis est puduisse pudor. 
Quern leporem timor esse probat, quern praeda leonem, 

Cauda caprum, vulpem furta, rapina lupum. 
Quo duce mendicat ratio, quo preeside virtus 

Migrat in exilium, pullulat aegra fides. 
Sola vocativi casus inflexio, Davo 

Parcet, ibi non vox articulata tacet. 
Aeris est Davus faex unica, digna cathenis, 

Digna Jovis trifido, fulmine digna mori. 
Blandimenta minis, odio conpescat amorem, 

Peste bonum, raptu munera, fraude fidem. 
Ecce mali cumulus mens est scelerata, profanum 

Est corpus, fallax lingua, nephanda manus. 
Se negat hypocritam, nucleo nux consona, sordent 

Pari tabe, simili peste locale locus. 
Ne pro se ponatur idem, consordeat intus 

Et foris in Davo, metonomia perit. 
Conspectum dolet ad risum, risusque dolorem 

Pensat, et eventu prosperiore gemit. 
Faecis massa, pudor naturae, sarcina terrae, 

Mensarum baratrum, stercoris aegra domus. 
Invidiae stimulis coquitur mens fbeda, colorem 

Captivat mentis, migrat in ora lues. 
Cursitat ad mensas, post prandia torpet, amicus 

Yentris, eonsumit pinguia, spernit olus. 
Non malus est, sed triste malum, consumere natus 

Fruges, ad numerum non numerale facit. 
Ejus in adventum calices siccantur, egeno 

Mendicat dapibus mensa, lagena mero ; 



! RELH5UIJK ANTIQUE. 

Coi deus est venter, cm templa coquina, sacerdos 

Est coquus, et fumus thura Sabtea sapit. 
Lance sedet, mensasque dapes incarcerat, unde 

Pullulat et nimiuin ventris arnica Venus. 
In pateris patinisque studet, ructante tumultu 

Et stridente tuba ventris, utrinque tonat. 
Inllictis dapibus moles praHurgida, ventos 

Concipit, et Davus jEoIus esse studet. 
Davus hians eeger ventorum turbine fracto 

Carcere, dispensat quos cohibere nequit. 
Pergit ad incestum, Venus excitat regra bibbres 

Fratres, membra tepent csctera, cauda rigeL 
Metri dactibci prior intrat sillaba, crebro 

Impulsu quatiunt meina fceda breves. 
Nequitia rabiem servilem preedicat, actu 

Enucleat servcc conditionis opus. 
Urget blanda, furit ad libera terga rebellis, 

Ne vetito rectus limile carpat iter. 
Imbuit innocuos vitiis, exuberat aigri 

Pectoris, in multos particulate lues. 
Saccus nequitife, lucis caligo, maceili 

Tempestas, pestis sarva, vorago patens. 
Noxius, eeger, iners, conmutat, destruit, urget, 

Gaudia, jura, bonos, scismate, fraude, dolo, 
Nudus, inops, vacuus, pretio, virtutis, honesto, 

Lite, furore, fide, gaudet, abundat, eget. 
Eiigit, optat, amat, depravat, spernit, abhorret, 

Jurgia, probra, scelus, ftcdera, templa, deos. 
Quo nascente, suum virtus dum comperit hostero, 

Bella mihi video, bella parantur, ait. 
Commendatio matronm. 

Marcia prsradiat virtutum dote, redundat 

Morum deliciis, religione prteit. 
Matronale decus exemplo suscitat, expers 

Fastus, incestus nescia, pura dolis. 
Dotibus innumeris est picturata, modesta 

Verbo, con s ilia provida, mente virens. 
Lascivos re prim it motus, de scire laborat 

Marem, sexus inmemor esse studet. 
Mollitiem solidat sexus, fraudesque relegans 

Femineas, redolet mente fideque virum. 
Visitat infirmam naturam, gratia morum 

Innatum mulier exuit ausa t sit ') malum. 
Est mulier non re, sed nomine, mens epiteton 

Naturas refugit, evacualque dolum. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUES. 263 

Praedicat oris honor pretium virtutis, honesti 

Propositi, vultus esse propheta potest. 
Non mentis levitas valet esse noverca pudoris, 

Sed matronali disputat ore color. 
Umbra supercilii frontisque modestia signa 

Portendunt, mentis expositiva sacrae. 
Non favor intuitus Veneris suspirat ad usum, 

Non oculi loquitur mobilitate stuprum. 
Marcia marte potens vitium captivat et aegrum 

In melius sexum degenerare facit. 
Mentitur levitas sexus, nucleique saporem 

Dissimilat facies perniciosa nucis. 
Vasis pernicies spirat virtutis honorem, 

Pullulat ex taxi cortice mellis odor. 
Taxus mellificat, redolet mellita cicuta, 

Dum viget in fragili pectore firma fides. 
Res nova ! vernat hiems, comix albescit, acetum 

Dat nectar, taxus mella, mirica rosam. 
Marcia femineum sexum festivat, honestat 

Naturam, taxum mellificare facit. 
Increpat innatum facinus, nee inertia sexus 

Legat in exilium spirituale decus. 
Cum nuce rixatur nuclei praestantia, pugnant 

.iEgra superficies interiorque favus. 
Marcia fraude carens, pia, casta, modesta, stupescit 

Oppositis sexum consiliare bonis. 
Tot dotes solidat custos patientia, nutrix 

Morum, virtutis deliciosa comes. 
Justo justa, sacro sacra, digna Catone, Catonis 

Marcia, promeruit intitulata legi. 

Commendatio pulchrce mulieris. 

Pauperat artificis naturae dona venustas 

Tindaridis, formae flosculus, oris honor. 
Humanam faciem fastidit forma, decoris 

Prodiga, syderea sic gravitate nitens. 
Nescia forma paris, odii praeconia, laudes 

Judicis invidise promeruisse potest. 
Auro respondet coma, non replicata magistro 

Nodo, descensu liberiore jacet. 
Dispensare jubar humeris permissa, decorem 

Explicat, et melius dispatiata placet. 
Pagina frontis quasi verba faventis, inescat 

Visus, nequitiae nescia, labe carens. 
Blanda supercilia via lactea separat, arcus 

Dimidii prohibent luxuriare pilos. 



1 RELIQUIfi ANTIQUS. 

Nulli prteradiant oculi, Vencrisque ministri 

Esse favoralisiinplicitate volant. 
Candori socero rubor interfusus in ore 

Militat, a roseo flore tributa petena, 
Linea procedit naris non ausa jacere, 

Aut inconsulto ]uxuriare gradu. 
Non hospes colit ora color, ne purpura vultus 

Languescat, niveo disputat ore rubor. 
Oris honor rubei suspirat ad oscula, risu 

Succincto, modica lege labella tument. 
Pendula ne fluitent, modico succincta tumore 

Plena Dionea me]Ie labella rubent. 
Dentes contendunt ebori serieque retenta 

Ordinis esse pares in statione student. 
Colla polita munere certant superare tumorein, 

Incrcpat etlateri parva mamilla sedet. 
Respondent ebori dentes, irons libera lacti, 

Colla nivi, stellls lumina, labra rosis. 
Arctatur laterum descensus ad ilia, donee 

Surgat ventriculo luxurianle tumor. 
Intima festivat loca cella pudoris, arnica 

Naturae, Veneris deliciosa domus. 
Quod latet in regno Veneris dulcedo saporis 

Index contactus esse propbeta potest. 
Pes brevis, articuli districti, carnea crura, 

Nee vacua (luiiat pclle polita maims. 
Ne cumulo careat species sua dona raaritant 

Corporea? dotes, effigiale bonum. 
Materia pretium, forma? prsstantia, quiEque 

Membra relativa sedulitate be ant. 
Materiam picturat opus prredulce, veuusto 

Materia? pretio, matcriata place nt. 
Non floris pretium marcescit turbine fastus, 

Ceu tenera? parcat spina miserta ross. 
Hoc facit ad Venerem, mihi tales eligo, tales 

Describit quales Vindocinensis amat. 
Hoc pretio Phrigios tasit bedea < fi ' c > rapina 

Pnamidem, Troja) flamma, ruinaducum. 
Cur hanc Priamides rapuit si Gr:ecia qucerit, 

Illic Hypolitum pone, Priapus erit, 

Viluperium vetuUe. 
Est Berta rerum scabies, frex livida, vultu 

Horrida, naturae desipientis opus; 
Altera Tbesiphonc, confusio publica, lame 

Consona, conspectu sordida, tabe gravis ; 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUES. 265 

Corpore terribilis, aspectu foeda, quietas 

Cervicis scabies non sinit esse manus. 
Dum latitat scabies > rigido larvata galero, 

Debita deesse sibi pabula musca dolet. 
Pelle, pilis caput est nudum, frutexque rigescit 

Fronte minax, turpis, livida, sorde fluens. 
Silva supercilii protenditur hispida, sordem 

Castigat, fruticis obice claudit iter. 
Triste supercilium tabem retinere laborat 

Cervicis, nares progrediendo tegit. 
Auris sorde natat, non orbiculata, redundat 

Vermibus, hue illuc pendet obesa madens. 
Livescunt oculi, sanies discurrit, inundat 

Fluxus, lippa tegit, lumina faece tepent. 
Dum volitant avidae circum sua lumina muscae, 

Palpebra viscatas muscipulare solet. 
Naris sima jacet foetens, obliqua meatu 

Distorto, flamen exitiale vomit. 
Proxima labra madant, fluxu distillat et aegrum 

Naris ad hospitium pendula spuma redit. 
In rugas crispata riget gena foeta lituris 

Insita, quas oculos tabe fluente notat. 
Pendula palescunt et marcida labra, saliva 

Cerbereos rictus stercorat aegra sinus. 
In dentes rubigo furit, quos spiritus egit, 

Et tineae duplici perditione premunt. 
Non parcet scabies collo vicina, quod horret 

Nodis, quod sordet ulcere, tabe natat. 
Venis distrahitur pectus, similatque mamillis 

Consona vesicae panniculosa cutis. 
Livida costarum macies exire minatur, 

Pellitum queritur carnis egere latus. 
Turgescit stomachus scabie quam proxima lethe 

Suscitat inferni janua triste chaos. 
Hoc ibi pernicies staturam contrahit go, C 810 ^ 

Inscriptum breviter terga tumere facit. 
Sentibus horrescit descensus ad infima, latrat 

Cerberus, exundat faece lacuna patens. 
Emeritis hirsuta pilis hiat olla lacunae, 

Consona fluminei gurgitis unda rubet. 
Est genuum conpago rigens inbuta fluenti 

Diluvio, spargi se Flegetonte dolet. 
Tibia tumescit scabie, cogitque ciragra 

Reciprocos digitos esse podagra pedes. 



l. n. 



i RELIQTiliB ANTIQCB. 

Tempomm descriplio. 

Ver roseum tenero lascivat flore, laborat 

Picturare Ream floridiore coma. 
Solis arnica calet vestas a?stuque redundans 

Nititur interpres nominis esse sui. 
Vinitor autumpnus, Bachi pincema, propinat 

Uvae delicias, horrea messa replet. 
Horret hiems triplici panno pellita, noverca 

Florum, lascivi pectoris ;egra comes. 
Sunt partes anni bis binee, ver tepet, testas 

jEst«at, autumpnus uva dat, alget Hems. 
Ver florum genitor, sestas nutricula, fructii 

Ditior autumpnus, prodiga vestis hiems. 
Ver turbat renes, in vere furit Diogenes ; 

Ver Veneri juvenes implicit et senes. 
Lucifer astra fugat, solis precursor, ad orluro 

Respirat, melior exulc nocte dies. 
Legat in exilium tcncbras Aurora, cubile 

Titani viduans, purpurat ora Jovis. 
Hirsuto comitata gelu, lux serpit et ortus, 

Tempora canicies anticipare studet. 
Uberius radios Phcebus dispensat, anhelant 

Quailrupcdes curru dimidiante diem. 
Migrat ad antipodes Phoebus, declivior axis 

Vergit ad occasum languidiore rota. 

Descriptio loci. 
Natural studium locus est quo veris abundant 

Delicia?, veris gratia, veris opes, 
Tellus luxuriat crinito gramme, gramen 

Vernat flore, tepet aurula, spiral odor. 
Blanditur natura loco, donando favoris 

Prodiga, donatis rebus egere potest. 
Donandi transgressa modum sibi ullam refer vens, 

Purpurat ornatu floridiore locum. 
Perpetuat Zcphirus llorcs, hirsutaque bruma 

Non infestat humum pauperiore coma. 
Pullulat in ilores humus, humida gleba maritat 

Se glebas, redolet floscuius, herba sapit. 
Non rabies cards ant cancri, vernantis honorem 

Floris conmutat pauperiore toga. 
Natali tumulo dulcis rosa dives amictu 

Vernat, odoratus del iciosa comes, 
Focniculus crispata viret, qua dives odore 

Castigare solet spirituale malum. 



RELIQUIJB ANTIQUJB. 267 

Mollia nigrescunt vaccinia, naris arnica ; 

Lilia procedunt candidiora coma. 
Vertitur ad solem cj'ane, grave vulnus amoris, 

Phoebsei nutus praedicat herba sequax. 
Salvia procedit, piperi quem leve maritat. 

Qui facit inmensas luxuriare dapes* 
Artemisia viget, quee vultu glauca, saporem 

Bachi deliciis luxuriare solet. 
Quem castum redolet, pallet narcissus amoris 

Indicium facie pallidiore gerens. 
Qui procul Bachi festivat, surgit ysopus 

Intitulare potens dolia plena deo. 
Quod gustu commendat ovis vel dama popello 

In triviis, raris crinibus, herba viret. 
Petrosilla apis certantia vultu <■*«> 

Et simili similis denegat esse sapor. 
Statura brevi trifolium sedet esca popelli, 

Et jejunanti coenula festa viro. 
Quae renes cessare jubet lactuca noverca 

Exurgit Veneris, religionis amans. 
Ad Venerem faciens genitrix eruca rigescit, 

Suscitet ut semen Candida cepa potens. 
Yicinatur humi residens plantago, tumorem 

Castigans carnis et residere jubens. 
Prodit humo dormire studens papaver, aneti 

Vernant deliciae, naris amicus odor. 
Purgatrix stomachi, faciensque tonitrua, purgit, 

Surgit ab officii nomine nomen habens. 
Lilia sectantur vestis candore, ligatur 

Ad vulnus, faciens lanceolata jacet. 
Pallescit rubor in violis, mediusque videtur 

Nescio quis neuter inter utrumque color. 
Oris deliciae prodit gingember acutus, 

Vernantes certat perpetuare comas. 
Florescunt tima, victus apum quae duplice fructu 

Ditant luminibus templa, sapore gulam. 
Disputat, et melius redolet, conflictus odoris, 

Et quae non possunt singula, multa juvant. 
Gustas apis florem carpendo, labore magistro, 

Monstrans humanee commoditatis iter. 
Non prsedatori borese de flore tributum 

Solvit, gratuitas inviolata loci. 
Ne pereat nutricis inops infantia floris, 

Commodat altrices fons redivivus aquas. 
Vestit humum decus arboreum, frigusque propinans 

Soils ad exilium nititur umbra tepens. 



276 reliquijE antiques. 

" 3e, M quod the vox, " were thou i-srive, 

And sunnen hevedest al forsake, 

And to klene lif i-take, 

Ich wolde so bidde for the, 

That thou sholdest comen to me." 

" FXlO worn shuldich," the wolfe seide, 

X Ben i-knowe of mine misdede ? 
Her nis nothing alive, 
That me kouthe her nou srive. 
Thou havest ben ofte min i-fere, 
Woltou nou mi srift i-here, 
And al mi liif I shal the telle V 
" Nay," quod the vox, " I nelle." 
" Neltou," quod the wolf, " thin ore, 
Ich am afingret swithe sore ; 
Ich wot to-ni3t ich worthe ded, 
Bote thou do me soume reed. 
For Cristes love, be mi prest." 
The wolf bey a-doun his brest, 
And gon to siken harde and stronge. 
" Woltou," quod the vox, " srift ounderfonge, 
Tel thine sunnen on and on, 
That ther bileve never on." 
" QONE," quad the wolf, " wel i-faie 

O Ich habbe ben qued al mi lif-daie ; 
Ich habbe widewene kors, 
Therfore ich fare the wors. 
A thousent shep ich habbe abiten, 
And mo, jef hy weren i-writen. 
Ac hit me of-thinketh sore. 
Maister, shall I tellen more 1" 
" 3e, ,f quad the vox, " al thou most sugge, 
Other elles-wer thou most abugge:" 
" Gossip/' quod the wolf, " forjef hit me, 
Ich habbe ofte sehid qued bi the. 
Men seide, that thou on thine live 
Misferdest mid mine wive ; 
Ich the aperseivede one stounde, 
And in bedde to-gedere ou founde. 
Ich wes ofte ou ful ney, 
And in bedde to-gedere ©u ley ; 
Ich wende, al so othre doth, 
That ich i-seie were soth, 
And therfore thou were me loth ; 
Gode gossip, ne be thou nohut wroth." 



RELIQUIJE ANTIQUE. 269 

Flurima restat adhuc arbor, sed Musalabellum 

Comprimit, et brevitas auris arnica placet. 
Non infestat aquas solis tepor, immo teporem 

Eamorum series orbiculata sonet ; 
Humor amicitiae solis sua jura maritans 

Destinat in florum fructificare comas. 
Altera gratuitas superest, cumulantque decorem 

Egregie studio garrulitatis ayes. 
Yociferans ' occide/ dolens philomena querelas 

Et sua jocundo dampna dolore canit. 
Vox merulae resonat, quae facta domestica, nostras 

Vocis adulterio nobilis esse solet. 
Psitacus exclamat prsesentatura triumphis 

Csesareis, lingua degenerante, ' vale.' 
In scelus, in litem certans armatur alauda, 

Lseta prophetanti concinat ore diem. 
Argi luminibus stellatus pavo superbus 

Et picturatae vestis honore nitet. 
Nidificat ramis Veneri dicata columba, 

Incestum redimens simpliciore coma. 
Turtur arnica gemit, primo jurata marito, 

Continuativi pignus amoris amans. 
Hie canit, hie habitat maculis distincta coturnix, 

Et rigido perdix excrucianda veru. 
Qui proprias canit exequias, mortisque propinquus 

Despicit articulum, fonte resultat olor. 
Materiam logici conflictus pica propinans, 

Nescio quo medio membra colore tegit. 
Birex nanus adest, qui staturae brevitatem 

Nominis intitulat nobilitate sui. 
Non piccus fabricator abest, ovi fabrica rostrum 

Dum sibi de sociis hospita tecta fodit. 
Garrula pigrescit et avara monedula, sueta 

Exilio nostros concelebrare lares. 
Vel patitur vel agit passer, cui nomina ponit 

Et lumbis fluitans irrequieta Venus. 
Non cornix, non corvus adest, non noctua sacrum 

Blasphemat gemitus asperitate locum. 
Non aquilae primatus abest, nisi carmina plebis 

Rumpat regalis conditionis honor. 
Ergo relativos volucrum queremonia cantus 

Dum movet, organicum carmen adesse putes. 
Flos sapit, herba viret, parit arbor, fructus abundat, 

Gamt avis, rivus murmurat, aura tepet. 
Voce placent volucres, umbra calor, aura tepore, 

Fons potu, rivus murmure, flore solum. 



V 



I REMQUfJi ANTIQUE. 

Gratum murmur aqua;, volucrum vox consona, I 

Suavis odor, amnis frigidus, unda tepens. 
Sensus qoinque loci pradicti gratia pascit, 

Si collative quccque notata putes. 
Unda juvat tactum, gustum sapor, et sonus aurem ; 

Est volucris visus gratia, naria odor. 
Non elementa vacant, quia tcllus concipit, aer 

Blanditur, fervor suscitat, humor alii. 
Ciceides Musa?, paulo majora canamus, 

Vobis freta, freto vela secunda damua. 
Non omnes arbusta juvant hurailesque mirieffi, 

Immo juvat lauri participare vicein. 

Loci brevis descriplio. 
Hie genius studet in melius, ver gramine pictum 
Eximio terras gremio pra?sentat amictum, 
Pnllulat herbula, nunciat aurula veris honorem ; 
FIosculus emicat, et rosa praadicat orta teporem. 
Fons vitreus, fons nectareus, nova germina riorum 
Vivificat, fovet, amplificat, BpiranB odorem. 
Non spoliat nee depreciat rigor hostis iniquus 
Temperiem, retinet epeciem flos veris amicus. 

De amore prolervo et procacitate amanlU. 
Plurima cum soleant sacros evertere mores, 

Altius evertit femina, census, honos. 
Femina, census, honos, monimenta facesque n 

In ecelus, in gladios, corda inanusque trahunt. 
Femina Tes fragilis, nunquam nisi crimine coustans, 

Nunquam sponte sua desinit esse nocens. 
Femina flamma vorax, furor ultimus, unica clades, 

Et docet et discit quidquid obesse potest. 
Femina vile forum, res publica, fallcre nata, 

Successisse putat, cum licet esse ream. 
Femina triste jugum, querimonia juris et aqui, 

Turpe putat quociens turpia nulla gerit. 
Femina tarn gravior, quanto privatior hostia, 

I nvitat crimeu munere, voce.manu. 
Omnia consumens, vitio consumitur omni, 

Et prredata viros, prada fit ipsa viris. 
Corpus, opes, animos enervat, diripit, angit. 

Tela, manus, odium, suggerit, armat, akt. 
Femina mente Pari, < slc > vita spoliavit Uriam, 

Et pietate David et Salomon [a] fide. 
Femina sustinuit jugulo dampnare Johannem, 

Ypolitum leto conpedibusque Joseph. 



RELIQUMS ANTIQUE. 271 

Femina mente gerit, vita probat, actibus inplet, 

Quo lex, quo populus, quo prsesul, ipsa ruit. 
Nee minus inmutat animos quando eruit aurum, 

Nee minus illicitiim currere monstrat iter. 
Vir et quern pudeat viro pervertere rectum, 

Quern pigeat pretio quolibet esse reum. 
Auro perficitur quicquid captatur inique, 

Non caret affectu qui dare multa potest. 
Auro flectitur dux, miles, parcitur hosti ; 

Nemoque protenso munere vana rogat. 
Aurum corda movens, oculorum prseda sacrorum, 

In facinus puras armat agitque manus. 
Auro saepe labat virtus et robur eorum 

Quorum corda Deus, c&tera laudat homo. 
Et quern vitares cervicem impendere leto, 

Spe modici fructus cuncta licere potest. 
Hostis atrox judexque gravis tortorque severus 

Spe pretii laxant prselia, jura, manus. 
Aurum castra locat, classem parat, extrahit enses, 

Spernere vim, ventos, sequora, tela docet. 
Solvit conjugium, prorumpit claustra pudoris, 

Sacras csede manus inquinat, ora dolis. 
Auro perjurus Polimestor, adultera Dane, 

Perfida Tarpeya,* 
Auro Crassus obit, miro ruit Amphiaranus, 

Auro castra, duces, jus, populique cadunt. 
Quern vero nee res nee femina frangere possunt, 

Ambitus expugnat consceleratque pium. 
Ambitus in vetitum mores deflectit, et infra 

Posse suum quemque non sinit esse reum. 
Huius opes turbare duces, mutare coronas, 

Innocuis letum, sceptra parare reis. 
Urbibus excidium, templis prseparare ruinam, 

Sternere patricios ensibus, igne lares. 
Naturam vitiis, superos offendere ritu, 

Parcere tunc tantum dum nocuisse nequit. 
Quern semel arripiunt tantae contagia cladis, 

Cuncta licere putat, dum sibi regna parat. 
Sustinet hie gladios in patrem ferre, nee unquam 

Fraude, cruore, dolis, mens, manus, ora vacant. 

* This line is defective in the MS. 

Wrt. 



RELIQUI^ ANTIQUE. 



A FABLE, IN ENGLISH VERSE. 

From the Bodlirian Library, MS. Digby, No. B8, fol. 188, r°, l 
llie reign or Edward tbe First. 

Of the Vox arid of the Wolf. 

A VOX gon out of the wode go, 
Afingret so, that him wes wo ; 
He lies nevere in none wise 
Afingret erour half so swithe. 
He ne Iioeld nouther wey ne stretc, 
For him wes loth men to mete ; 
Him were levere nieten one hen, 
Than half an oundred wimmen. 
Hestrok swithe over all. 
So that he of-seL ane wal ; 
"Witliinne the walle wes on hous. 
The wox wes thider swithe wous ; 
For he thohute his hounger aquenche, 
Other mid mete, other mid dranche. 
Abouten he biheld wel jerne ; 
Tho eroust bigon the vox to erne, 
Al fort he come to one walle. 
And som therofwesa-falle, 
And wes the wal over al to-breke, 
And on jat ther wes i-loke ; 
At the furmeste bruche that he fond. 
He lep in, and over he wond. 
Tho he wes innc, smere he lou, 
And ther of he hadde gome i-nou ; 
For he com in withouten leve 
Botlien of haiward and of reve. 

ON hous ther wes, the dore wes ope, 
Hennen weren therinne i-crope 
Five, that maketh anne flok, 
And mid hem sat on kok. 
The kok him wes flowen on hey, 
And two hennen him seten ney. 
"Wox," quad the kok, " watdestthou thare ! 
Go horn, Crist the jeve kare ! 
Houre hennen thou dest ofte shome ; 
Be stille, ich hote, a Godes nome !" 
Quath the wox, " Sire chauntccler. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 273 

Thou fle adoun, and cam me ner. 

I nabbe don her nout bote goed, 

I have leten thine hennen blod ; 

Hy weren seke ounder the ribe, 

That hy ne mi^tte non lengour libe, 

Bote here heddre were i-take ; 

That I do for almes sake. 

Ich have hem leten eddre blod, 

And the chauntecler hit wolde don goed ; 

Thou havest that ilke ounder the splen ; 

Thou nestes nevere daies ten ; 

For thine lif-dayes beth al a»go, 

Bote thou bi mine rede do ; 

I do the lete blod ounder the brest, 

Other sone axe after the prest." 

" Go wei," quod the kok, " wo the bi-go ! 

Thou havest don oure kunne wo. 

Go mid than that thou havest nouthe ; 

Acoursed be thou of Godes mouthe ! 

For were I a-doun, bi Godes nome ! 

Ich mijte ben siker of owre shome. 

Ac weste hit houre cellerer, 

That thou were i-comen her, 

He wolde sone after the 3onge, 

Mid pikes, and stones, and staves stronge ; 

Alle thine bones he wolde to-breke, 

Then we weren wel awreke." 

HE wes stille, ne spak namore, 
Ac he werth athurst wel sore ; 
The thurst him dede more wo, 
Then hevede rather his hounger do. 
Over al he ede and sohute ; 
On aventure his wiit him brohute 
To one putte wes water inne, 
That wes i-maked mid grete ginne. 
Tuo boketes ther he founde, 
That other wende to the grounde, 
That wen me shulde that op-winde, 
That other wolde a-doun winde. 
He ne hounderstod nout of the ginne, 
Ac nom that boket, and lop therinne ; 
For he hopede i-nou to drinke : 
This boket beginneth to sinke. 
To late the vox wes bi-thout, 
Tho he wes in the ginne i-brout : 
I-nou he gon him bi-thenche, 

II. 2 M 



274 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 

Ac hit ne halp mid none wrenche ; 

A-doun he moste, he wes therinne ; 

I-kaut he wes mid swikele ginne. 

Hit mi3te han i-ben wel his wille 

To lete that boket hongi stille : 

Wat mid serewe, and mid drede, 

Al his thurst him over-hede. 

Al thus he come to the grounde, 

And water i-nou ther he founde. 

Tho he fond water, 3erne he dronk, 

Him thoute that water there stonk, 

For hit wes to-jeines his wille : 

" Wo worthe," quath the vox, "lust and wille, 

That ne con meth to his mete ! 

3ef ich nevede to muchel i-ete, 

This ilke shome neddi nouthe, 

Nedde lust i-ben of mine mouthe. 

Him is wo in euche londe, 

That is thef mid his honde. 

Ich am i-kaut mid swikele ginne, 

Other soum devel me broute her-inne; 

I was woned to ben wiis, 

Ac nou of me i-don hit hiis." 

THE vox wep, and reuliche bigan : 
Ther com a wolf gon after than 
Out of the depe wode blive, 
For he was afingret s wit he. 
Nothing he ne founde in al the ni^te, 
Wer-mide his honger aquenche n^tte. 
He com to the putte, thene vox i-herde; 
He him kneu wel by his rerde, 
For hit wes his nei^ebore, 
And his gossip, of children bore. 
A-doun bi the putte he sat. 
Quod the wolf, " Wat may ben that, 
That ich in the putte i-here ? 
Hertou cristine, other mi fere 1 
Say me soth, ne gabbe thou me nout, 
Wo haveth the in the putte i-brout V 
The vox hine i-kneu wel for his kun, 
And tho eroust kom wiit to him ; 
For he thoute mid soumme ginne, 
Him self houp bringe, thene wolf therinne. 
Quod the vox, " Wo is nou there ? 
Ich wene hit is Sigrim that ich here." 
" That is soth," the wolf sede, 



RELIQUIJS ANTIQUE. 275 

" Ac wat art thou, so God the rede 1" 

-LJL, On alpi word ich lie nelle : 
Ich am Reneuard, thi frend, 
And 3if ich thine come hevede i-wend, 
Ich hedde so i-bade for the, 
That thou sholdest comen to me.*' 
" Mid the 1" quod the wolf, " war-to 1 
Wat shulde ich ine the putte do V 9 
Quod the vox, " Thou art ounwiis, 
Her is the blisse of paradiis ; 
Her ich mai evere wel fare, 
Withouten pine, withouten kare : 
Her is mete, her is drinke, 
Her is blisse withouten swinke ; 
Her nis hounger never mo, 
Ne non other kunnes wo ; 
Of alle gode her is i-nou." 
Mid thilke wordes the volf lou. 
" A RT thou ded, so Gode the rede, 

J\. Other of the worlde?' the wolf sede. 
Quod the wolf, " Wenne storve thou, 
And wat dest thou there nou ] 
Ne beth nout jet thre daies a-go, 
That thou and thi wif also, 
And thine children, smale and grete, 
Alle to-gedere mid me hete." 
"That is soth," quod the vox, 
" Gode thonk, nou hit is thus, 
That ihc am to Criste vend, 
Not hit non of urine frend. 
I nolde, for alle the worldes goed, 
Ben ine the worlde, ther ich hem foud. 
Wat shuldich ine the worlde go, 
Ther nis bote kare and wo, 
And livie in fulthe and in sunne 1 
Ac her beth joies fele cunne : 
Her beth bothe shep and get." 
The wolf haveth hounger swithe gret, 
For he nedde 3are i-ete ; 
And tho he herde speken of mete, 
He wolde bletheliche ben thare : 
" A !" quod the wolf, " gode i-fere, 
Moni goed mel thou havest me binome ; 
Let me a-doun to the kome, 
And al ich wole the for^eve." 



276 reliquije antiques. 

" }e," quod the vox, " were thou i-srive, 

And sunnen hevedest al forsake, 

And to klene lif i-take, 

Ich wolde so bidde for the, 

That thou sholdest comen to me." 

" rflO worn shuldich," the wolfe seide, 

X Ben i-knowe of mine misdede ? 
Her nis nothing alive, 
That me kouthe her nou srive. 
Thou havest ben ofte min i-fere, 
Woltou nou mi srift i-here, 
And al mi liif I shal the telle 1" 
" Nay," quod the vox, " I nelle." 
" Neltou," quod the wolf, " thin ore, 
Ich am afingret swithe sore ; 
Ich wot to-nijt ich worthe ded, 
Bote thou do me soume reed. 
For Cristes love, be mi prest." 
The wolf bey a-doun his brest, 
And gon to siken harde and stronge. 
" Woltou," quod the vox, " srift ounderfonge, 
Tel thine sunnen on and on, 
That ther bileve never on." 
" QONE," quad the wolf, " wel i-faie 

O Ich habbe ben qued al mi lif-daie ; 
Ich habbe widewene kors, 
Therfore ich fare the wors. 
A thousent shep ich habbe abiten, 
And mo, 3ef hy weren i-writen. 
Ac hit me of-thinketh sore. 
Maister, shall I tellen more V' 
" 3e/' quad the vox, " al thou most sugge, 
Other elles-wer thou most abugge:" 
" Gossip," quod the wolf, " forjef hit me, 
Ich habbe ofte sehid qued bi the. 
Men seide, that thou on thine live 
Misferdest mid mine wive ; 
Ich the aperseivede one stounde, 
And in bedde to-gedere ou founde. 
Ich wes ofte ou ful ney, 
And in bedde to-gedere ou ley ; 
Ich wende, al so othre doth, 
That ich i-seie were soth, 
And therfore thou were me loth ; 
Gode gossip, ne be thou nohut wroth." 



reliquiae antique. 277 

" T TUOLF," quad the vox him tho, 

V " Al that thou havest her bifore i-do, 
In thohut, in speche, and in dede, 
In euche otheres kunnes quede, 
Ich the forjeve at thisse nede." 
" Crist the forjelde !" the wolf seide. 
" Nou ich am in clene live, 
Ne recche ich of childe ne of wive. 
Ac sei me wat I shal do, 
And ou ich may comen the to." 
" Do?" quod the vox, " ich wille the lere. 
I-siist thou a boket hongi there ? 
Ther is a bruche of hevene blisse, 
Lep therinne, mid i-wisse, 
And thou shalt comen to me sone." 
Quod the wolf, " That is lijt to done." 
He lep in, and way sumdel ; 
That weste the vox ful wel. 
The wolf gon sinke, the vox arise ; 
Tho gon the wolf sore agrise. 
Tho he com amidde the putte, 
The wolf thene vox opward mette. 
" Gossip/' quod the wolf, "wat nou] 
Wat havest thou i-munt, weder wolt thou"?" 
" Weder ich wille V 9 the vox sede, 
" Ich wille oup, so God me rede ! 
And nou go doun, with thi meel, 
Thi bijete worth wel smal. 
Ac ich am therof glad and blithe, 
That thou art nomen in clene live. 
Thi soul-cnul ich wile do ringe, 
And masse for thine soule singe." 
The wrecche binethe nothing ne vind, 
Bote cold water, and hounger him bind ; 
To colde gistninge he was l-bede, 
Wroggen haveth his dou i-knede. 

THE wolf in the putte stod, 
Afingret so that he ves wod ; 
I-nou he cursede that thider him broute ; 
The vox ther of luitle route. 
The put him wes the house ney, 
Ther freren woneden swithe sley. 
So that hit com to the time, 
That hoe shulden arisen ime, 
For to suggen here houssong. 
O frere ther wes among, 



»» 



278 RELIQUIAE ANTIQUJE. 

Of here slep hem shulde awecche, 

Wen hoe shulden thidere recche. 

He seide, " Arise th on and on, 

And kometh to houssong hevereuchon. 1 

This ilke frere heyte Ailmer, 

He wes hoere maister curtiler ; 

He wes hofthurst swithe stronge, 

Ri3t amidward here houssonge, 

Alhone to the putte he hede ; 

For he wende bete his nede. 

He com to the putte, and drou, 

And the wolf was hevi i-nou ; 

The frere mid al his maine tey 

So longe, that he thene wolf i-sey : 

For he sei thene wolf ther sitte, 

He gradde, " The devel is in the putte !" 

TO the putte hy gounnen gon 
Alle, mid pikes, and staves, and ston, 
Euch mon mid that he hedde, 
Wo wes him that wepne nedde. 
Hy comen to the putte, thene wolf op-drowe; 
Tho hede the wreche fomen i-nowe, 
That weren egre him to slete 
Mid grete houndes, and to bete. 
Wei and wrothe he wes i-swonge, 
Mid staves and speres he wes i-stounge. 
The wox bicharde him, mid i-wisse, 
For he ne fond nones kunnes blisse, 
Ne hof duntes for jeveness. Explicit. 

Mdn. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUjE. 279 



BOUNDS BETWEEN CAMBRIDGE, HUNTINGDON 

AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE. 

From MS. Cotton. Nero D. x. folio 140, of the thirteenth century. 

Istae sunt metae inter comitatus Huntyngdon. Norhamton. 
et Cantebr. compertae per inquisitionem factam die Jovis prox- 
imo ante festum Sancti Hillarii apud Huntyngdon. anno regni 
regis Henrici filii regis Johannis xxviij per multos probos 
homines et legales, qui dixerunt super sacramentum suum quod 
hae sunt metae inter comitatus Huntyngdon. Norh. et Canteb. 
viz. quod quaedam aqua quae vocatur Nene dividit comitat. 
Hunt, et Norb. ad Aylyngtone, et de Aylyngtone extendit 
usque ad pontem de "Walmesforde, excepto feodo domini 
Henrici Cengayne,* et postea ad Medewelle de sub Burgo, 
et ad Medewelle incipiunt comitatus Hunt, et Cantebr., et 
post Medewelle usque Chyselawe, et inde usque ad Wode- 
hevede, et inde usque ad Suthmustesrauthe, et inde usque 
ad Olthe, et inde usque ad Frydayslake, et inde usque ad 
Sadelbowe, et inde usque ad Dedemile, et inde usque ad 
Wysahammuthe, et ibi cadit Nene in Huse, et inde per 
medium Benewyke usque ad pontem de Herhythe, et inde 
usque ad Haliwelle, et usque ad prioratum Sancti Ivonis, 
et inde usque ad Stanton-Gysebryt, et includit Hiltone, et 
inde usque ad Pappeworthe-Anneys, et inde usque ad Gyl- 
lynge, et inde usque ad Touleslond, et inde usque ad Welde, 
et inde usque ad Magnam-Grantesdene, et inde ad Wereslee, 
et inde ad Abboteslee, et inde ad Catteworthe, et inde ad 
Evertone, et inde ad Bereforde, et inde ad Sanctum Neotum, 
et inde ad Hayleswestone, et inde ad Magnam Stottone, et 
inde ad Kymbanton, et inde ad Swyneshevede, et inde ad 
Conyngton, et inde ad Keston, et inde ad Wynewyke, et inde 
ad Thernynge, et inde ad Lillyngtone, et inde ad Lodyngtone, 
«t inde ad Aylyngtone. 

H.E. 

* forte Engaine. 



REL1 Q li I .)'. 



From MS. Ecei. Catli. Lincoln, fol. paper, siee. XV. cotnfiil^ii by 
Morolon, in the reign of Henry the Sixth. 

Lyarde es ano oldc horse, and may noght wele drawe, 
■ l»; putt into the parke holy ne for to gnawe; 
Barefote withowttyne schone, t hare sail e he goo. 
For he es ano oldc horse, and may no more doo. 
Whilles that lyarde myght drawe, the whilles was he It 
Thay putt hym to pmvan.de, and therwyth he provede; 
Now he may noghte do his dede, as he myght by-forn, 
Thay lyg hy-fore hym pese-atraa, and beris av 
Thay lede hym to the smethy, to pulle of his schone. 
And puttta hym to grenwode, ther for to gone. 
Wha so may noghte do his dede, he salle to park, 
Barefote withowttene schone, and ga with lyarde. 
Take hym unto his pilche, and to his pater noster. 
And pray for hym that may do, for he es hot a wastur, 
For-thi serve thou thy wyfe, as thi covaunde was. 
Or gete hir an other, and bryng hym to (hi place. 
Thou made in thi forwarde to bedd and to bounle, 
Thu may noghte for schatne agayne say that word. 
Alle the wyfes of this land, thay ere at assente, 
Thay hafe purcheste thame a parke at the parliament ; 
The kynge liase thame grauntide by the comone lawe. 
That alle salle in to the parke that may not wele drawe ; 
He that may not do his dede one evyne nor on morowe, 
He salle be put into the parke, with mekille harde [sorov 
He that may wele do his dede in a fo[urtenyghte !] 

He salle be at hame with skille 

He that fay lis in thre w[ekes] 

He salle be put 

He that may 

He salle he geldid or he go of bathe his balloke stnnys. 
And pulled of his schone, and putt to ihe pasture, 
Fro the tyme of Michelmes til 1 c? it be after Ester. 
Whene that he base travelde ther the wyntei halfe jere, 
Thane he salle be takyne owte, and mad a sekke fererc 
In the bowse of dyng, tluiste in that abba] e, 
Be he anes theder broghte, he commes never away©. 
Smale swywynge menne thedir salle be fettyne 

Thay salle be brynte on the hippe, chapmans merke, 
Bothe in froste and in snawe to go with lyarde. 



KEI.IQUI.* ANTIQUE. 291 

e that passe the age of thre score of jere, 
That may noghte in bedd do, salle be a frere ; 
Thay salle were non other serke hot the harde hayere. 
And jitt salle thay be coussid awaye at Appilby faire, 
As wyfes makis bargans, a horse for a mare, 
Thay lefe ther the febille and brynges ham the freche ware. 
Clense wele your eghne, and standis on bakke. 
For here es comene a presepe, swykke menne to take. 
Elevyne myle on lenghe the parke es melt, 
And twenty on brede the some es sette ; 
And jett it es filled fro the to syd to the tother, 
And yitt standis ther owtt twenty wayne fothere. 
3it ther salle into the parke many on maa, 
Of everilke towne in Yrlande ane or twa. 
The laste manne in the parke was a graye frere, 
Therin he dwelte the wynter halfe jere, 
And ever more after barefote he gose ; 
And the gray freris, for that sorye lose, 
Freris hase thame umbythoght, and sworne ilkane to other, 
Salle never no counte betyne mane bycomen ther brother ; 
Bot if he may wele swyfe, and bere hym aryghte, 
Twyse or thrise at the leste on a schorte somer nyghte, 
That thane he salle the habete take, and by-come ther brother, 
And this thay hafe mad ther house of one and of other. 
[Thay] mak alle thaire howses of gud swyvers, 

dose downe the parke for love of the wyfes. 

jit hafe I noght done, 

kene forthir wole I sone, 

hase takyne thame to sone. 

to feche thair brother home, 

And now hafe thay sworne by God and sayne John 

That thay wille byg thame a house of lyine and of stonne. 

Thay sett up, and lete crye in everylke a townne 

For ther solde come to the house menne of relegeone; 

Be he monke, be he frere, be he chonoune, 

Thay chalange hym for brother that beris any crownne. 

The mayster of the parke ansuerde with naye, 

" Thare es a frere in this parke of jour abbaye, 

For he myghte noghte do bot once in a jere, 

"Wyfes tuke hym the home, and made hym fostere." 

" Ful falle hym," sayde the freres, " that ever was he borne ! 

He es bot a lewed frere, he had never crowne schorne ; 

And that salle we prove by a gud skille : 

Wyfes that hase geese, thay knawe this fulle wele, 

Tak a ganedir that may not trede, and pulle hym in the crownne, 

I-wysse a better trede foulle schalle none be in the towne. 

VOL. II. 2 H 






And swa it faris by freris, that hase a crowns schorne, 

Thay tare like the comone bulle that gase in menus come, 

Mete and drynke thayhafe ynoghe,bot swy vyng thame war 

And for thay go so seldom to, thay gete grete sayntes." 

" Santis in the devels name !" said the parkere, 

" The frere sone of Oxenforthe was hanged for a mere ; 

And als I come hamewarde, another I metle 

With a rape abowte his nekke to the gebette. 

Other sayntis gett thay none, therfor thay wille noghte tl 

And therfore thay clyme alle to God one a schorte tree." 

" By God ! thou lyes," said the frere, " and that wille I p 

And ther to fighte within lystia I wagge to the my glove; 

Byd thi brethir make thame redy, if that thay wille fyghte, 

For thay salle be assayllede within this fourtenyghte." 

Than thay busked, and made thame bownne on every Ik ■ tj&t, 

Agaynes the nexte Mononday in the Whytsontyde, 

Twenty thowsand ther come of flaterande freris, 

And als many agaynes thame alle of parkers. 

Thane smalle swywynge raenne sett up a crye, 

" God and sayne Silvester send us the maystrye ! 

Send the maystry to daye to us in this place." 

" Sayne Frauncesse," said the freris, "gyffe jow sory g 

And sende us the maystry, menne of relygeone !" 

Thay made assawte to the parke and drewe it alle downe, 

Thay pulled tham alle downe and mad it fulle playne, 

And lete alle sory swywers gang hame agayne. 

Twenty thowsand of the werste stale sone awaye, 

The freris went ham agayne to ther abbaye. 

And now are sary swywers brokyne owte of bande, 

Thay fille alle fulle this Ynglande, and many other lande. 

In everilk a toune ther es many one. 

And everilk wyfe wenys hir selfe thar scho hafes one; 

Scho wille saye to hir selfe, whene scho es in bedde, 

" Myne husbande hase bene in the parke, I laye myne h 

wedde. 
Whene he commes to the bedde, he slomers one slepe, 
I wole that sayne Silvester had hym thane to kepe." 
Whene maydens ere maryede, it es thaire mastekarke, 
Lesse thay he raaryed to menne that hase bene in the p 
For thus faris the worlde, for it es possebylle, 
Ever a faire aud a fowlle, a fresche and a febylle. 
Alle lyardes menne, I warne sowe byfore. 
Bete the cownte with jour neffes, whene $e may do no n 
Thus endis lyarde, at the laste worde, 
Yf a manne Ihynke mekille, kepe somewhate in horde. 
Here endys Lyarde. 



RELIQUIAE ANTIQUE. 283 

SCRIPTURAL CHRONOLOGY, 

IN ANGLO-SAXON. 
From MS. Cotton. Vespas. D, IV, fol. 69, v°. of the tenth century. 

From Adame ]?am aerestan maenn 3 fram fraemSe middan- 
geardes oftSane flod waes ger gerimes twa hund wintra 3 twa 
iSusenda j twa 3 fiowertig. ]>onne fram {Sam flode 08 Abra- 
hames acennesse waeron niogen hund wintra 3 twa 3 feowertig. 
"Sonne fram Habrahame o3 Moyses 1 Israhela ut-gange of 
Egiptum waeron fif hund wintra y eac fife. "Sonne fram Moyse 
oS Salomon 3 oftftaet frum-ge-weorc "Sees temples on Hierusa- 
laem waeron feower hund wintra 3 eahta 3 hund siofentig. 

Fram fruman middan-gearde o3 Cristes hider-cyme waeron 
fif Susendo wintro 3 twa hund 3 eahta 3 twentig. Fram 
frymSe middan-geardes o'S'Saes temples ge-weorc waeron fiowaer 
$usenda wintra 3 seofan 3 sextig 3 hund tiontig. 3 "Sara 
werhtana waes ]?e "Sane stan baeron to "8am ge-weorce, hund 
siofentig Vusenda 3 hund eahtodig manna. 3 "Sara werhtena 
be Sanae stan sneoddon 3 fegdon >ara waes hund siofentig 
%usenda 3 'Brio hund. 3 "Sanan waes to Cristes "Srowunga twa 
$usenda wintra ■] seofen -j "JSritig. 3 "Sarnie waes fram ftenvSe 
middan-geardes o3 Rome burhge ge-weorc fiowaer "Susendo 
wintro 3 siofen 3 hund eahtodig. 

Wrt. 



«W.V.\WS , .V.V\V>IV. , A«» 



SONG ON JACK STRAW'S REBELLION. 

From a MS. in the Lib. of Corpus Chr. Coll. Cambr. No. 369. The lines 
inclosed in parenthesis are supplied from another copy in the Bodleian 
library, MS. Digby, 196. A line, or perhaps two, appears to be wanting in 
my transcript from the Digby MS. 

Tax has tenet us alle, probat hoc mors tot validorum, 
The kyng therof hade smalle, fait in manibus cupidorum ; 
Hit hade harde honsalle, dans causamfine dolorum • 
Revrawnce nede most falle, propter peccata malorum. 

In Kent this kare began, mox infestando potentes, 
In rowte the rybawdus ran, sua pompis armaferenies ; 
Folus dred no mon regni regem neque gentes, 
Churles were hor chevetan vulgo pure dominantes. 

Thus hor way es thay wente, pravis pravos emulantes, 
To London fro Kent, suntprcedia depopulantes ; 
Ther was an uvel covent, australi parte vagantes : 
Sythenne thay sone were schent, qui tuncfuerant superantes* 

Bondus they blwu (1) bost, nolentes lege domari, 
Nede thay fre be most, vel nollent pacificari ; 



284 RELIQUIJS ANTIQUE. 

Cliarlers were endost, hos Ubertale morari , 
Ther hor fredam thay lost, digni precede negari, 

Laddus loude thay loje, clamantes voce sonora, 
The bisschop wen thay sloje, et corpora plura decora : 
Maners down tliay drow3e, in regno non meliora ; 
Harme thay dud i-noje, Imbuerunt libera lora. 

[ Jak Strawe made yt stowte in profusa comitiva, 
And seyd al schuld hem lowte Aug forum corpora viva. 
Sadly can they schowte, pulsant pietatis oliva, 
The wycclie were wont to lowte antrum traducere otivt 

Hales that dowghty knyjght, quo splenduit Anglia 
Dolefully he was dyjght, cum stulluspace remota, 
There he myjght not fyght, nee Ckristo solvere vota. 

Savoy semely selte, keu .' funditus igne cadebal, 
Arcadon there they bett, et eos virtule premebat, 
Deth was ther dewe dett, qui captum quisque ferebal.] 

Owre kyng hadde no rest, alii laluere cavema, 
To ride he was ful prest, recolendo gesta paterna, 
Jak Straw down he kost Smythfeld virtute svpema, 
Lord, as thu may best, regem defende, guberna. 

Vulpes cum cauda caneat, cum can/at alauda, 
Ne rapide pecus voculus capiatur et equus. 



INDEX. 



Abbot of Gloucester's feast, i. 140. 
Abelard's Advice to his Son, i, 15, 
Alchemical Verses, i, 309, 
Alexius of Rome, romance of, ii, 64, 
Alfred, King, proverbs of, i, 1 70, 
Alliterative poem on Fortune, ii, 7, 
Alliterative Scraps, ii, 256, Allite- 
rative Verses, ii, 20, 
Alphabet, Latin poem on the, i, 164, 
Anglo-Norman Drinking Song, ii, 

168, 
Anglo-Saxon Benediction, ii, 18, 
Anglo-Saxon Bishops and Kings, 
lists of, ii, 169, Anglo-Saxon Me- 
trical Charm, U, 237, Anglo-Saxon 
Chronological Notes, ii, 283, An- 
glo-Saxon Verses on Durham, i, 
169, Anglo-Saxon Glosses from 
Prudentius, i, 9, Anglo-Saxon 
King, duties of an, ii, 194, Anglo- 
Saxon Verses, ii, 195, Anglo-Saxon 
Measures of Time, i, 90, Anglo- 
SaxonPrayers, i,204, (seePrayers) 
Anglo-Saxon legend of Furseus, i, 
876, Anglo-Saxon Religious Frag- 
ments, i, 34, • 
Angry People, verses on, i, 275, 
Apprentices, advice to, ii, 223, 
Arderne, John, his account of him- 
self, i, 191, 
Arithmetical Question, i, 161, 
Astrological Prediction, i, 70, 
Athelston, romance of, ii, 85, 
Ave, see Prayers, 

Ballads, i, 13, 27, 100, 202, 234, 258, 

326, ii, 39, 196, 
Battle Abbey, verses on, i, 92, 
Beasts of Sin, the Seven, i, 65, 
Bestiary, early English, i, 208, 
Beverley, Alfred of, ii, 246, 247, 
Bevis of Hampton, ii, 59, 
Biblesworth, Walter de, dialogue 
between him and Henry de Lacy 
on the Crusade, i, 134, Glosses 
from Walter de Biblesworth, ii, 78, 
Blacksmiths, satire on the, i, 240, 
Blood-letting, English poem on, i, 

189, 
Boar's Head, song on the, ii, 30, 



Bounds between Cambridge, Hunt- 
ingdon, and Northamptonshire, 
ii, 279, 

Brunanburh, song and prayer on the 
Battle of, ii, 179, 

Bulesques, i, 81, 85, 91, 140,239, 
250, 325, ii, 57, 208, 

Calais, English verses on the Siege 

of, ii, 21, 
Cambridge, Huntingdon, and North- 
amptonshire, bounds between, ii. 

279, 
Carmina Jocosa, i, 91, 
Carols, i, 203, ii, 30, 76, 
Catalogue of the Library of Rievaux, 

ii, 180, 
Catherine Parr's Child, ii, 16, 
Characteristics of different Nations, 

i, 5, 127, 
Characteristics of Counties, i, 269. 

ii, 41, 
Characteristics of Towns, ii, 178, 
Charms, i, 126, 260, 315, ii, 237, 
Charter in verse, i, 168, 
Chaucer's Griselde, ii, 68, 
Cipher,directions for writing in, ii, 15, 
Commandments in Verse, i, 49, 
Costume, extract illustrating, ii, 27, 
Counties, characteristics of, i, 269, 

ii, 41, 
Creed, see Prayers, 
Crusades, i, 134. 

Days of the Year, length of, i, 318, 
Death and its precursors, i, 64, 
Death, song on, i, 138, 
Demaundes Joyous, ii, 72, 
Diary, a Brief, ii, 31, 
Dinner Fare, bill of, in 1452, i, 88, 
Dreams, metrical treatise on, i, 261, 
Dunmow Bacon, ii, 29, 
Durham, Anglo-Saxon verses on, i, 

159, 
Dutton's company of players, ii, 122. 

Epigram on the degeneracy of the 
times, 1, 58, 

Epitaph, i, 268, Epitaph on a Bal- 
lad Man, ii, 179, 



286 index. 


Ereyldoun's Prophecy, i, 30. 


Joys of the Virgin, i, 48, 




Judas, a poem, i, 114. 


Fables, i, 204, 320, ii, 272, 




Faith and Reason, i, 137, 207. 257, 


Kildarc, satire on the People of, II, 


Falconry, fragment of a I'oem on, 


174, Friar Michael of, ib. 190, 


1, 310, 




Fencing, verses on, i, 303, 


Ladies, satire on the, i, 163, 


Fishes, a receipt to catch, I, 56, 


Lady and her Dogs, a poem, i, lSj, 


Follies, the thirty-two, i, 836, 


Latin Rhymes, directions for com- 


Forrester's Song, ii, 199, 


posing, i, 30, 


Fortune, alliterative poem on, ii, 7, 


Latin verses, I, 57, 


Fox and the Wolf, ii, 372, 


Laundresses, a treatise for, i, 20, 


Friars, a poem against the, i, 332, 


Law Terms, glossary of, i, 33, 


Song against the Friars, ii, 247, 


Legends, i, 59, 27<>, 


Fursieus, legend of, i, 276. 


Lending, evils of, i, 259, 




Lexicography, contributions to En- 


Gentleman, qualities of a, i, 252, 


glish, 1, S, 


Geography in verse, i, 271, 


Libeus Disconus, romance of, ii, G5. 


George's Chapel. St. Ii, 115, 


London, English poem on, i, 205, 
the Puisne e walk round, ii, 70, 


Glosses, Anglo-Saxon, i, 0, of Law 


Terms, i, 33, of Names of Plants, 


Love, poem on, i, 180. 


1,96, 


Love Songs, i, 109, ii, 19, 


Glosses, Middle- English, ii, 78, 


Lullaby, ii, 177, 


Glosses, Welsh, i, 83, 


Lyarde, an English poem, ii, 280. 


Gloucester's, the Abbot of, Feast, i, 




140, 


Madman's Song, 1, 259, 


Gluttony, English, apology for, i. 


Muss of the Drunkards, H, SOS, 




Master of Oxford's Catechism, i, 280, 


Grammatical rules in English verse, 


Matthti'us Vindocinensis, Latin 




poems of, ii, 257, 


Greek Fire, ii, 1, 


Maundevite, Sir John, and the 


Griselde, ii, 68, 


Sultan of Egypt, ii, 113, 


Guardian Angel, prayer to (he, i, 35, 


Maximon, an early English poem, 


Gunpowder, early receipt for, i, 14. 


i, 119, 




Measures, estimate of, ii, 57, Mea- 


Hare, names of the, 1 133, 


sures of Time, in Anglo-Saron, 1. 


Harrowing of Hell, i, 253, 


SO, 


Hawking, the Book of, i, 293, 


Medical Receipts in English, i, 51, 


Heights of Men, various, i, 2U0, 


Memorial verses, i, 287, 


Hendyng, proverbs of, i, 100, 193, 


Miracle Plays, poem against, i, 3SS, 


256, 


Miracle Plays, sermon against, ii, 4S, 


Henry II and the Cistercian Abbot, 


Moral admonitions, i, 245, 


1, 147, 


Music, song on, i, 291, 


Henry VIII, and his Daughter, i, 


Mystery of the Burial of Christ, il, 


358, 


124, of the Resurrection, il, 144. 


Herbs, poem on the virtues of, i, 194, 




Herebert, William, his English 


Naval Anecdote, i, 316, 


poems, i, 80, ii, 225, 


Nicholas, St. Latin poem on, il, 190, 


Historical Notices, i, 314, 


Nightingales, food for, i, 203, 


Historical Poem in English, ii, 117, 


Nuns, English rule of, extracts from, 


Hymns, i, 86, 89, 100,200,282, ii, 


i, 65, li, I. 


190, 225. 






Ode on a Lover, ii, 100, 


Interlocutory poem, i, 145, 


Old Age, English poem on, ii, 210. 


Ireland, Latin poem on the wonders 




or ii, 103, 


Palamon and Ersyte, ii, 11 , 


Isnmbras, Sir, ii, 07, 


Palm Sunday, ceremonial verse* on, 


Itinerary from Venice to Joppa, i, 


ii, 341, 


237. 


Paternoster, how the Ploughman 




learned Ina, i, 43, 


Jack Straw's rebellion, ii, 283. 


Paler Noster, kc. see Piuyert. 



INDEX. 



287 



Penny, Sir, ii, 108, 
Petroniug, note on the MSS of, i, 1 1 7, 
Pious Legends, i, 59, 
Plants, names of, i, 36, 
Ploughman's Paternoster, i, 43, 
Poetical Letter, ii, 173, 
Political Songs, ii, 238, 255, 283, 
Pope Joan, verses on, ii, 162, 
Popular Maxims, i, 251, 
Popular Songs, i, 73, 
Possession, notes of, ii, 163, 
Prayers, including the Pater Noster, 
Ave, and Creed, i, 22, 35, 38, 42, 
67, 159, 169, 204, 284, 282, 
Prices of Articles, i, 254, 
Pride the Emperor, ii, 248, 
Pride, Envy, and Anger, i, 260, 
Priest, qualities requisite for a, ii, 218, 
Prison, the seven names of a, i, 270, 
Prisoner, song of a, i, 274, 
Prognostications, i, 15, 93, ii, 10, 
Prophecies, i, 70, ii, 18, 25, 245, 
Prophecy of the fall of Reeves 

Abbey, i, 205, 
Prophecies, metrical, ii, 12, 
Proverbial verses, ii, 216, 
Proverbs, i, 90, 92, 109, 170, 193, 
205, 207, 233, 249, 251, 256, 287, 
814, 315, 323, ii, 14, 18, 20, 107, 
110, 113, 195. 
Puisne's Walks about London, ii, 70, 

Receipts for Colours, i, 108, 
Receipts, miscellaneous, i, 163, 203, 

250, 317, 324, 325, 
Reeves Abbey, prophecy concerning, 

i, 205. 
Religious and Moral pieces, i, 38, 
Rhymes, directions for composing, 

i,30, 
Riddles, ii, 110, 
Rievaux, catalogue of the Library 

of, ii, 180, 
Robbery, definition of, in English 

verse, ii, 38, 
Rochester, satire against the inha- 
bitants of, ii, 230, 
Romance of Athelston, ii, 85, 
Romances, English, decription of a 

MS, of, at Naples, ii, 58, 
Rules of Conduct, in verse, ii, 13. 

Satire on the Blacksmiths, i, 240, 
Satire on the People of Kildare, 



ii, 174, Satire on the Ladies, i, 
162, Satire against the Inhabi- 
tants of Rochester, ii, 230, 

Satirical Ballad, i, 13, 

Schoolboy's Song at Christmas, i, 
116, 

Scotland, prophetic verses on, ii, 245, 

Scraps, i, 166, 232, 251, ii, 14, 18, 
20,40,112,117,119,256, 

Scriptural Chronology, ii, 283, 

Sermons, early English, i, 128, 
Sermon against Miracle Plays, ii, 
42, Sermon before Thieves, ii, HI, 

Si Didero, ii, 6, 

Sins, poem on the Seven Deadly, i 
136, 

Songs, i, 56, 70, 73, 100, 116, 138, 
169,237,238, 239,248, 252,255, 
258, 259, 274, 291, 323, 324; ii, 
19, 30, 39, 123, 165, 168, 190, 199, 
238, 247, 255, 283, 

Songs from Manuscripts at Cam- 
bridge, i, 1, 23, 

Stans Puer ad Mensam, i, 156, 

Superstitions, i, 285. 

Ten Commandments in verse, i, 49, 
Terouane, the summoning of, i, 317, 
Testament of the Christian, i, 260, 
Tetrastichs, i, 249, 
Thrush and the Nightingale, i, 241, 
Topographical Notes, i, 284, 
Towns, characteristics of, ii, 178, 
Tuti villus, English verses on, i, 257, 
Twety's Treatis on Venery, i, 149. 

Ursula, St. ii, 224. 

Vaudois, errors charged against the, 

i, 246, 
Verse, scraps of, i, 166, 
Virgin, the, i, 89, 200, ii, 212, 213, 

255, 
Virtues, the four, i. 154. 

Welsh Glosses, i, 93, 

Wine, properties of good, i, 273, 325, 
ii, 29, 

Woman, Anglo-Norman poem on, 
ii, 218, Woman, song on, i, 248, 
Women, verses in praise of, i, 275, 
Woman, what she is, i, 168, 

Women's Horns, poem on, i, 79, 

Wren, verses on the, ii, 107. 



I 




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